VQ-2 EA-3B Ranger 12, Buno 144850 Crash USS Nimitz CVN-68, 1/25/1987

[mred00955]

@navycpo the barricade on the nimitz always seemed to sag in the middle we did as we were suppose to do the rigging was checked.

[mred00955]

I was with v-2 at the time arresting gear, it was not a good night at all, to lose crew mates is hard, as you can see we threw are flashlights over the side to mark, the pilot did all the right thing except make the trap in the barricade, he was a little high as soon as I seen sparks I knew this is not good! its hard enough landing on a carrier during the day yet at night.

[iforget]

It's beautiful to see you gentlemen come here and comment on the video and share your experiences. I can't imagine your horror during the first few seconds of this clip. RIP

[EmmaSherlysDaddy]

This was a very bad day indeed...

[krypdicboy]

I'll never forget this. I was one of the CT's that flew earlier in the day on that very plane. During the deployment the crew make-up was changed often, so we had all flown together on one flight or another. I watched in horror from berthing this very video (CCTV) as the Whale came into the barricade and then crashed. It was an awful event to have to re-tell many times, especially to the family members of those that perished that day.

[bicycleric]

I was one of the flight deck corpsman on duty that night (HM3 Carlson) and remember this night all too well, a tragic way to start our last deployment to the Med. Never had the chance to offer my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. You sons, husbands, fathers and brothers were doing a very dangerous job in the most professional manner, their commitment to cause and country should always be held in the highest esteem.

[redr1150r]

I was there when it happened watching it on the Plat in AIMD HYD. Shop where I was the LPO. VQ-2 was put into our berthing where there was some room. Some of us helped to pack their stuff up.  My dad, CTOC Stan Ellefson also flew in VQ-2 from 67 - 73, and I was in VAQ-33 from 71-73. Also sorry for your loss.

[redr1150r]

I was there when it happened watching it on the Plat in AIMD HYD. Shop where I was the LPO. VQ-2 was put into our berthing where there was some room. Some of us helped to pack their stuff up.

[borkweb]

My father, Lt. Stephen H Batchelder, was a crew member on this plane.

[DukeC]

@borkweb

Sorry for your loss. I was on deck that night and witnessed this sad & tragic event. There's nothing worse onbard a ship than the loss of life. It's been over 24 years & I still think about those guys.

[krypdicboy]

@borkweb I remember your Dad. I flew with him several times during this deployment. I was on the other crew...the one that flew this plane earlier in the day. Such a terrible tragedy. So sorry for your loss!

[farm210]

This was a very sad night at sea. I was witness to the accident as a member of the Squadron. The helmet of Rick Herzing was recovered from SAR Crew during rescue mission attempt.I have not forgotten my Shipmates. AME3 Coy

[gonavye6]

I was onboard the JFK when this happened. The Nimitz was coming to relieve us. We lost good people that night, RIP to all. It was a tough night. I was in the Q from 1985-1988 in the AT Whale shop and enjoyed my time throughly. Whaler at heart.

[soccerdad1150]

On this anniversary, a toast to the brave lads aboard Ranger 12. We hardly knew ye.

[Merritt636]

My dad in charge of this plane. He lost his best friend, Pat Price. Alan Levine was pilot who tried to give my dad any reason to ground the plane that day. He told my dad that the auto pilot was out. Thats when Callander told Levine, "I guess your just gunna have to fly the son of a bitch then." We have a bible at home with all 7 of the crew members names written it. Hearing the story was the second time I've ever seen my dad cry.

[CTR1USN]

I was TAD out of Rota on the Nimitz surface det when this crash occurred. Those of us on daywatch were asleep, but were awakened when they called "man overboard" on the 1MC. The loss of these 7 was a truly horrific thing, happening only a year after the Challenger 7 were lost off the Cape. One of the crew members, CTI3 Pat Price, was a classmate of mine in a training back at Rota. RIP, Shipmates of Ranger 12.

[smackme19]

One of the sailors onboard this aircraft was mine, in a manner of speaking. CTI3 Craig Rudolf was one of students at Goodfellow AFB, TX, He was an outstanding sailor and person. I miss him very much. I was in Sigonella the night of this accicent. I had also flown with most of the crewman on this plane. This didn't have to happen. Fair winds and following seas shipmates. You are gone, but not forgotten!

CTIC(NAC) Mike (Mikey) Burress

USN/Retired

[Dononcall]

@smackme19

my brother was the navigator on this one.

[herndonjtexas]

@Dononcall Your Brother was the LCDR? he was a good man

[Dononcall]

@herndonjtexas

Thank-you; that is good to hear.

[NavyCWO]

I was TAD to Nimitz in 1978. I saw the barrier properly rigged a couple of times. In this video the barrier was not properly rigged. The top wire is too loose resulting in a belly sag in the barrier. Had it been properly tightened it may have "trapped" the whale and saved the crewmembers. I was a crewman on this aircraft with VQ-2 1975/76.

BTW if this was posted by "Fat Jack" Herndon of USS Texas Outboard Div., please give me a shout on FaceBook!

ex-CTI1 Billy Carter

[soccerdad1150]

RIP men of VQ-2