F-14 Tomcat Ejection: The Story Behind the 1981 USS Constellation's Failed Arresting Gear Cable
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Published 2023-01-20
On a calm December day in 1981, The USS Constellation (CV-64), a Kitty Hawk-class super carrier, was operating at full song in the middle of the Indian Ocean. It was two months in to a seven month deployment and Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24) was participating in a series of training flights pitting their supersonic, twin-engine F-14 Topcats against LTV A-7 Corsairs.
The Commanding Officer of VF-24, "The Fighting Renegades", was Skipper Bill Switzer, a seasoned pilot who had flown 150 missions over Vietnam and was a former member of the United States Navy's Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels. Skipper Switzer and his Radar Intercept Officer (RIO), David "Bio" Baranek, launched aboard their F-14 as part of the day's training exercises. It was upon their return to carrier when they encountered a malfunction with the ship's arresting gear cable that put both their lives in jeopardy.
Shortly after 5 PM, Switzer positioned their Tomcat onto final approach with the Constellation like he had done so many times before. As the F-14 descended, its tail hook latched onto the fourth and final cable on the carrier's deck with the expectation of bringing the 52,000 pound aircraft to a full stop, however, that is when everything went into slow motion for the flight crew.
Hearing a loud pop to the rear of the aircraft and the plane continuing to barrel down the deck, Switzer and Baranek knew they were in trouble. With no chance of keeping the aircraft on the deck, Switzer attempted to go full throttle, but to no avail. Not able to keep the plane airborne, the F-14 continued off the deck of the Constellation and began to drop belly first into the Indian Ocean. Within a split second, both Baranek and Switzer were able to initiate ejections.
Miraculously both still alive, in part due to their Martin-Baker GRU-7A ejection seats, both men found themselves in a new predicament, trying to remove their parachutes while not getting dragged under the water. Fortuitously, this particular cruise marked the Navy's first use of the FLU-8, a salt water activated CO2 cartilage worn by flight crews that automatically inflate their life preservers. The FLU-8s played a critical part in bringing both men to the surface.
Reestablishing his bearings, Switzer grew concerned over the potential of threatening sea snakes and sharks that had been seen in the areas surrounding the Constellation. His nerves tested multiple times while waiting for his retrieval, mistaking the sinking F-14's vertical stabilizer as the fin of a oncoming shark.
Switzer and Baranek were successfully pulled from the water by a SH-3 Sea King rescue helicopter and returned to the deck of the Constellation where they were happy to learn that the crew aboard the flight deck were not injured in the mishap. The cause of the accident was due to a failed landing cable that was not properly calibrated to stop the 52,000 pound weight of the F-14, and instead was programed to only 14,000 pounds, thus causing the malfunction.
Switzer was injured in the ejection, losing three-quarters of an inch of height due to the compression on his back and also sustain a chip in his neck. After being grounded for only three days, he returned to flying for the remainder of the cruise.
Bill "Striker" Switzer retired from the Navy after thirty years and later served as the Federal Security Director at Lambert-St. Louis Internal Airport.
Dave "Bio" Baranek served as a Topgun instruction and retired from the Navy in 1999. He is the author of three books that featuring his flying experience. Learn more about Bio at Topgunbio.com
All Comments (21)
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Hello Bill! I'm so glad I finally get to hear the story from you, the pilot. I had a front row seat to your incident. I was the yellow shirt on the foul line that day. I have a still picture of me in mid-stride running away as your bird went over the side. I hate that the island camera pointed into the sun, blacking out the latter half of your ill-fated ride down the length of the landing area. Just about the time the camera blacked out it was pointed to the area where I was hightailing it away from the landing area. Thank goodness I have the still picture, or no one would believe I was even there. It is indeed a day that I will never forget. So glad that you and Bio came out of that incident okay. Take care of shipmate!
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I was in CDC at the time watching the monitors. We were sure they had bought it and that really scared the hell out of us. When the helo reported the visual and movement, we all breathed a huge sigh of relief! Good on ya Captain, hell of an IO sunset that day, eh? Just a note - We lost 2 birds on that cruise but brought everyone home. Exceptionally rare occurrence in those days - Connie was special, America's Flagship...
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Hello Bill. thanks for telling this story. I was on board that day. My squadron was VAW-112, E2C- Golden Hawks. It was to my understanding that a submarine demo team later went back to destroy the aircraft ? How true, not sure. Thanks for your Heroic service !
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I volunteer in Titusville Florida at the Valent Air Command museum. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of hanging out with Bio. Bought a few books from him and asked about 76 questions or so!! He took his time with me and was a complete gentleman. God bless you both and thank you for your service to our nation!
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I released that bird to day shift and was awoken,told my aircraft went over the side , never told that my commander Switzer went over the side. Thanks to Switzer when seeing me in Monroe Louisiana while he was flying for Blue Angels is one of the reasons why I joined the Navy. Thanks to you commander Switzer
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I wonder if he realizes the sheer power of that 1980's mustache saved his life?
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I am always amazed how skilled and professional Naval aviators are. Thank you for your service and keeping us safe in the 80’s.
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As the VAQ-134 Intel puke on that cruise, I remember it quite vividly. The tremendous screeching wail of the cable as it was ripped out just feet above our heads and the absolute silence of everyone around me afterward is something I will never forget. That and the PLAT camera view as your bird went over the side, which is also etched in my mind. Thank you for always being so courteous to we AIs when we debriefed you after your missions.
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I remember this incident like it was yesterday. I served on the "Connie" from 81-83 and was, and still am, amazed you both made it out of this alive, thank God. Thanks for sharing with us Captain. Fair Winds & Following Seas Shipmate!
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So cool to hear Switzer’s side of the story. I’ve heard Bio’s telling of it many times and read about it in his book.
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Amazing story, glad both airmen are ok
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I was aboard during that incident and remember it well. I was G-1 in the belly of the beast, so no personal observation. I'm glad you both made it back safe! I only wish there were shots of the Connie instead of the Big E.
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This is nuts! I use to talk to Bio all the time via Facebook. He always had to time answer questions or just share stories. Never heard this one. Glad you guys came out OK. Thank you for your service.
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Absolutely crazy, glad to know the pilot and RIO were recovered with minimal injuries. I had the pleasure of sailing on the Connie for her last deployment. She was a great ship and it kills me that they cut her up instead of making her into a museum.
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Love these real stories told by the participants.
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I was in CATCC that day and watched the ejection, glad we got you both back
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Incredible that you in particular survived, Bill. And you are so modest! Well done for pointing the helicopter to your colleague. And what an amazing job was done by the commander that day. I am disabled due to spinal injuries suffered a few years ago. For this reason, I find it almost impossible to watch films of seat-ejections. I really do feel pain as I watch the canopy blow off!But this ex-serviceman is glad he got to hear you tell your story. The world is a better place for for having you in it, Bill.
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I was an AME in VAQ137 on the Ranger in 1981 on cruise in the gulf I remember hearing about this when it happened. Amazing story Sir.
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Wow! Amazing story with an positive outcome. 🙏
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I was on deck that day.Looked like a normal landing until the cable broke.The Bird floated for a while.
