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NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

April 1, 2003
Release Number: 03-04-01


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


S-3B VIKING PILOTS RESCUED AFTER AIRCRAFT SLIDES OFF USS CONSTELLATION'S FLIGHT DECK

ARABIAN GULF, Aboard USS Constellation (Apr. 1, 2003) - An S-3B Viking from VS-38 "Red Griffins" in Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW 2) aboard USS Constellation (CV 64) veered off the flight deck early this morning after making an arrested landing at approximately 5:10 a.m. local. The S-3B was the last plane to be recovered in its flight cycle.

Shortly after touching down on deck, the S-3B malfunctioned while taxiing on the carrier's flight deck and slid to the port (left) side of the deck. The plane went over the side, hit flight deck safety netting and the two pilots onboard ejected into the water. The plane then went into the water.

A helicopter from HS-2 "Golden Falcons" was performing search and rescue operations for the flight cycle and arrived on scene immediately. Both pilots were recovered by a Search and Rescue (SAR) swimmer and transported to Constellation where they are being evaluated for minor injuries.

After completing SAR operations and recovering the pilots, scheduled flight operations aboard Constellation continued.

Cause of the S-3B malfunction is under investigation. No personnel on the carrier flight deck were injured.

USS Thach (FFG 43) was performing plane guard duties at the time of the incident and immediately placed a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) in the water. The RHIB arrived on the scene shortly after the rescue helicopter.

The S-3B Viking performs multiple missions to include: tanking support, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), electronic support measures and precision and general purpose strike. HS-2 is one of two helicopter detachments in Carrier Air Wing TWO deployed with Constellation.

USS Constellation is currently deployed to the Northern Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the multinational coalition effort to liberate the Iraqi people, eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and end the regime of Saddam Hussein.