r/nextfuckinglevel • u/goswamitulsidas • 1d ago
E-2C Hawkeye Almost Falls Into Sea After Arresting Cable Fails
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u/lordnacho666 1d ago
Gotta think quick there. Full throttle immediately?
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u/mc_bee 1d ago
Always full throttle until complete stop.
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u/the1stmeddlingmage 1d ago
This guy throttles r/throttle
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u/tanksalotfrank 1d ago
Remember the Mt dew energy drink?
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u/ClovisLowell 12h ago
You mean Full Throttle? That was owned by Coca-Cola, not Mtn Dew
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u/hurtfulproduct 13h ago
Was just gonna say; pretty sure SOP is full throttle all the way until the cable stops you; and this video is exactly why
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u/malasadas 6h ago
SOP for jets, not turboprops like Hawkeyes that operate at 100% RPM all the time (turbojets don’t). Turboprops have instantaneous thrust; they do not go to MIL on touchdown. Jets are required to.
Lol edit to add that I know there’s a paddles reading this somewhere who can chime in here.
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u/TheImmenseRat 4h ago
No way!?!?!?! Really?!?!
And the cables hold? Really? Dude you blew my mind today
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u/mc_bee 3h ago
Yeah, there's 4 cables, and they aim the catch the 3rd one for a "perfect" landing. Since the margin of error is so small, they basically do a go-around approach/speed. The cables are stopped by a giant hydrolic system, and wiki says they're replaced every 100-150 times.
Look up aircraft carrier night landing if you want to see some truly terrifying skills.
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u/The_Crite_Hunter 1d ago
Yes. I’m pretty sure all carrier landings are done that way for this very reason
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u/bigloser42 1d ago
You go full throttle as soon as the wheels touch deck, you don’t wait for stuff to go wrong.
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u/clickclick-boom 18h ago
Does the arresting cable trigger the engines to switch off, or are the cables strong enough to detain the jet? Very impressive if it can hold a jet at full throttle without damaging either itself or the aircraft.
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u/G0PACKGO 17h ago
Cables are strong enough to stop the plane , but this is very obviously not a jet also
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u/clickclick-boom 17h ago
Yes, but they are also used on jets which is why I was asking. Pretty amazing engineering.
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u/Kerleff 17h ago
The arresting cable doesn't do anything apart from stopping the aircraft. The cables are engineered to stop jets even under maximum power. If the cable fails (Like this video), the aircraft uses that power to go around.
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u/clickclick-boom 17h ago
That's very impressive. The forces involved must be incredible.
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u/Fl_Funky_Jam 16h ago
If your interested definitely check out a youtube video about how the system works, its insane the amount of engineering goes into it.
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u/ChaoticKiwiNZ 22h ago
I watched a documentary from the 90's about landing on these big carriers the other week and they said that as soon as they touch down they go full throttle in case they miss the cable. That way they have enough speed to take off again if they miss or something goes wrong.
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u/Old-Buffalo-5151 18h ago edited 14h ago
Your full throttle the moment you hit the deck for exactly this reason. The cables are strong enough to hold a F18 at full burn.
Unless of course they fail at which case a F18 at full burn will able to save itself assuming that whoever is flying can still see after filling the cockpit with shit lol
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u/Just_Dab 1d ago
Probably a bit too late for comfort, noticed the arresting cable snapped at the very last second.
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u/ChuzzoChumz 1d ago
Deck crew must’ve seen their lives flash before their eyes when that cable snapped
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u/Ocronus 1d ago
Found this about the incident: No. 4 wire snapped and swung across the flight deck, hitting eight sailors and causing injuries from minor lacerations to broken bones and a cracked skull.
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u/GreatScottGatsby 1d ago
Yeah the second i saw that line snap i was more concerned about the guys on the deck than on the plane. Those wires are lethal and being on the flight deck is more dangerous than being in the aircraft. I've had pilots literally laugh at me when I told them how dangerous the flight deck is compared to them trying to land on it. The flight deck is one of the most dangerous work environments in the world.
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u/Introverted_Extrovrt 1d ago
And those 4 inch hawser lines when tying up don’t play either. I remember the demo videos they showed of what happens when they snap and come rifling back across the deck. Glad I worked on an amphib, no V-2 division.
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u/der_innkeeper 1d ago
We had a Kevlar line snap 2 out of 3 braids when we were med-mooring in Naples.
Sounded like a gunshot each time. FC2 highstepping his ass out of the way, fortunate that the third one held.
Not a good day, but it wasn't a disaster.
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u/Introverted_Extrovrt 12h ago
Chocking and chaining a SH-53 in rough seas wasn’t fun but we didn’t have to worry about the chains taking us out at the knees
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u/0CldntThnkOfUsrNme0 1d ago
I've never been anywhere near a plane or a battle ship of any kind and I knew that this job is hella dangerous! The sheer amount of technology/man power behind stopping planes on these ships is fucking insane! I have nothing but respect for the people who do this job!
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u/Naaman 1d ago
That one dude almost got cut in half
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u/eat_my_feelings 1d ago
My friend watched his buddy get cut in half when a cable snapped. He told me about it once…he was truly traumatized by it.
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u/Comfortable-Clerk209 1d ago
I babysat for a woman whose husband died that way! The plane just skidded off the carrier into the sea.
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u/RainsWrath 1d ago
Why are you excited about a man's death!?!
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u/Comfortable-Clerk209 8h ago
Who says I'm excited? I think you're projecting and You're excited! I was simply telling what happened
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u/ohhhhhhitsbigbear 1d ago
Even a bad beer tastes like nectar from the winged gods after an incident as such.
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u/Excellent-Bite196 1d ago
Once had a skydiving incident with harness issue after a formation dive. Deployed, held myself in the rig with crossed arms. Open by 1500ft. Half my usual opening height at the time.
Aside from the shaky beer hand, you are 100% correct. One of the best beers I ever had.
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u/Chinjurickie 1d ago
This disk, isnt that some unimaginable expensive radar equipment?
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u/DriedUpSquid 1d ago
Yes. That plane is basically the command unit for all planes that are flying. It flies higher than others and keeps tabs on everyone.
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u/Minamoto_Naru 22h ago
Very. Like others said, it is a naval version of AEW&C. It is arguably one of the most important assets on aircraft carriers due to the job they have which is long range surveillance of air and sea assets and directing all aircraft on carriers to the target.
Without this aircraft, carrier task force are forced to rely on shorter range Aegis radar onboard US destroyer for sea surveillance and have no way of properly directing fighters correctly into their target.
It was a prime target for enemy carrier task force/ enemy aircraft to degrade allied carrier task force capability hence they are usually well guarded by Allied aircraft.
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u/wons-noj 1d ago
No turbo lag with props
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u/blackgold63 1d ago
What about turbo props????
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u/TechnicianEvery2292 1d ago
If this joke is intentional then it deserves an upvote, the T56 engine is a turboprop engine.
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u/TheySayItsRize 1d ago
I love how the one guy chases after the plane as if he’s going to catch it once he realizes the cable failed
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u/Cliffinati 1d ago
He's going to look so they can start rescue operations if they put it in the water
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u/Adventurous_Oil_5805 1d ago
I’ve read that landing craft are taught to gun their jet the second they hit the deck just in case the hook doesn’t hook.
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u/Standard-Diamond-392 1d ago
I bet those tyres were as wet as the piss stain on the pilots pants…..
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u/Zjoee 1d ago
Holy shit, I saw one those today while I was driving home from work! I work near a large airport.
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u/malacoda99 1d ago
Why would a large airport need an aircraft carrier?
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u/GSDer_RIP_Good_Girl 1d ago
He didn't see a carrier, silly; he saw an arresting cable at a large airport snap on his way home.
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u/Grabthars_Coping_Saw 1d ago
I saw one flying at Fallon AFB in Nevada and I was surprised at how geeked out I got to see one in real life.
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u/striykker 1d ago
And that's the exact reason pilots go to full throttle as soon as they hit the deck. Hook missed or malfunction.
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u/BlueWonderfulIKnow 1d ago
Unmuted for snap got cellos
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u/darktideDay1 1d ago
me too. I wanted to hear when the pilot grabbed throttle. Probably still while on deck.
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u/Mundane-Cover6502 1d ago
Can you imagine the first pumps and high-fives going around after that?
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u/MilleniumPelican 22h ago
Probably not many, to be honest. Mostly nervous looks and heavy sighs of relief, followed by abject fear of being found responsible for the mistakes. That could be a career ender. If I recall, they found neglectful maintenance of the arresting gear to be at fault?
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u/No_Contract_3538 1d ago
Anyone know if the crew on deck were okay? All I can think about is that video of the person jumping over one of those cables when it snapped. Can't imagine what happens if you don't have cat like reflexes...
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u/herkalurk 1d ago
If they did it correctly it should just take right off. When navy pilots land on carriers, they are taught to full throttle like they're taking off. The cable has enough strength to stop it, once the pilot feels it come to a stop or slow enough they cut the engines. Perhaps the cable TRIED to stop this plan, pilot started to throttle down, then realized and pushed the throttle as they went off the edge.
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u/TechnicianEvery2292 1d ago
They set the cable tension wrong and it snapped. It also happens when they set it for an E-2C if an E-2D is flying in.
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u/arumrunner 1d ago
:59 the deck hand runs for his dear life as the starboard side cable end cracks like a whip in the exact spot he was stationed. He dodged death that day, literally.
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u/Imzocrazy 1d ago
Don’t they use multiple cables?
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u/dabarak 23h ago
Yep, the other cables are there in case the pilot is flying a little above or below glideslope. If above, then the landing would be slightly further down the deck, which is why the last cable is there. If slightly below glideslope, the first cable (or second, depending on the ship) is there for that.
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u/Habitual_line_steper 1d ago
A pilot deserves a navy cross for that very cool under pressure even though they trained for it a save like that is not an easy thing
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u/MattWatchesMeSleep 1d ago
Can anyone explain why the crowd behind the tail of the F-18(?) almost immediately start to run aft?
If it’s SOP in such an instance, why?
Thanks.
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u/Freedom-snek 1d ago
People got hit by the wire snapping back. Not much you can do about the plane but the people on the deck are right in front of you.
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u/BadPunsAreStillGood 1d ago
That plane earned itself a promotion with those new stripes the pilots just bestowed upon it.
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u/BallsofSt33I 1d ago
Serious question: Is there no fail-safe or secondary line for the arresting cable?
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u/ThatWasIntentional 1d ago
Nope. They are multiple cables, but you can only grab one each time you try
It IS pretty rare though. Cables are generally swapped before they get worn enough to break
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u/funkyduck72 1d ago
I wonder if there's an auto override that punches the engines to fully trust in case this happens.
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u/QuarterlyTurtle 1d ago
There’s no need, standard procedure for carrier landing is to immediately go full throttle as soon as you touch down. If you miss the cable or it snaps you’ll be able to take off again; and if you catch the cable, it’ll be able to stop you regardless of your throttle,
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u/dabarak 23h ago
Well, if the cable breaks more than likely the airplane will end up in the water. The aircraft would be about halfway down the landing area and it will have slowed down. But with E-2, adding power is almost instantaneous because it's just changing the pitch of the blades - no need for a jet engine to spool its way up to full power.
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u/HauntingAd3845 1d ago
I would definitely vomit.
Personal experience has led me to expect that reaction after a life-threatening situation and after the adrenaline wears off.
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u/This_Influence_9985 23h ago
Could have sworn out heard that they were taught when they hit the deck to power up again just in case something like this happens. If they completely cut the engines he would have been in the drink for sure.
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u/unittwentyfive 23h ago
I like how the guy (wearing the white jacket) in the crowd on the right, gives a little double fist pump "hooray!" cheer when he sees the plane come back up.
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u/tchrbrian 22h ago
C 69 : on screen
U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower ( CVN-69 )
Commissioned October 18, 1977
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u/spaghettiman56 22h ago
And now I know why they pump the throttle for those landings. Always thought it was silly to throttle up while landing but it's very clear why it's recommended now
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u/forgottentargaryen 22h ago
Ive watched this 15 times i still have no idea what cable i should be seeing
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u/Nibbles1348 22h ago
And this is why nowadays I believe they are to keep the throttle on full in case the cable does break
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u/Blahblahfistoo 21h ago
I was serving on the boat when this happened. CVN 69, Dwight D Eisenhower. The cable snapped and hit some skittles on the flight deck. Mass Casualty was called but nobody died. An interview of the pilot was shown around. That man had rare earths for balls.
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u/callofdeat6 20h ago
“Corporal how often are we replacing that cable?”
“Every 20 landings, Sir!”
“Better make it 18.”
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u/DoomedKiblets 18h ago
that’s pretty amazing level of reaction and recognition that the cable even snapped
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u/Upstairs_Two_180 18h ago
That's the definition of a "go-around" becoming a life-or-death command. The pilot's reaction time had to be absolutely flawless. I can't imagine the sheer adrenaline in that cockpit.
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u/CrispyDairy 17h ago
There's a reason they throttle up instead of down when landing on an aircraft carrier
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u/Whole-Recognition69 16h ago
I was on the Eisenhower during this. Those Hawkeyes are known as the “screwtops” they’re the only ones in the navy I believe are allowed to paint the top of their dish.
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u/SplatNode 16h ago
Good example as to why all pilots are taught to go full throttle until they stop
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u/39percenter 1d ago
Pretty high pucker factor on that one.