USS Forrestal Carrier Disaster: Accidental Rocket Firing Kills 134 Sailors
The USS Forrestal carrier disaster began in 1967 with the accidental firing of a rocket and became one of the deadliest incidents in U.S. Navy history. Amid the Vietnam War, the Gulf of Tonkin witnessed one of the most horrific events in the history of the United States Navy, which claimed dozens of sailors' lives and caused enormous damage...
0 Posted by: Sara Bani Amrian, 22 Mehr 1405 at 21:59
The disaster of the USS Forrestal aircraft carrier in 1967 started with the accidental firing of a rocket and became one of the deadliest accidents in the history of the US Navy.
In the midst of the Vietnam War, the Gulf of Tonkin witnessed one of the most horrific incidents in US Navy history, killing dozens of sailors and causing massive damage. This tragic event not only had a large human dimension, but also led to a fundamental revision of the safety protocols of aircraft carriers. The accident of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal brought unforgettable lessons that are still considered in naval operations today.
A fatal accident in the Gulf of Tonkin
At 10:52 a.m. on July 29, 1967, while the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (code CVA-59) was in the Gulf of Tonkin preparing for air strikes against North Vietnamese targets, a heartbreaking incident occurred. An electrical malfunction caused the unintended firing of a Zuni rocket from an F-4B Phantom fighter. The rocket hit the external fuel tank of an A-4 Skyhawk piloted by future US Senator Lt. John McCain. The impact of the rocket ruptured the fuel tank and spread a large volume of jet fuel across the flight deck.
As the fuel ignited, a massive fire started, which quickly spread across the deck. The initial explosion was followed by a series of secondary explosions caused by bombs and other munitions on the planes. The fire raged for hours, despite relentless efforts by crews to put it out.
Disaster details and aggravating factors
The USS Forrestal aircraft carrier incident was not only an accidental shooting, but a series of chain factors added to its deterioration. The most important factor was the accidental firing of the Zuni rocket, which had a bad reputation for technical malfunctions and accidental firings. In addition, this ship had recently received unstable, thin-shelled and highly flammable ammunition. Due to the necessity of bombing operations, these dangerous munitions were placed on the flight deck, as the ammunition stores were filled to their full capacity.
The intense heat caused by the fire caused the explosion of these ammunitions and aggravated the situation. The ruptured fuel tanks also released large amounts of jet fuel, which quickly spread across the deck, igniting other aircraft and causing further explosions. The ship's crew also faced serious challenges in controlling the fire; Many sailors lacked adequate training in firefighting, and this sometimes hampered efforts. The heat and thick smoke made it difficult to approach the flames, and explosions posed additional risks, while many of the ship's fire-fighting systems were also disabled.
The fire was extinguished after hours with the help of the USS George K. Mackenzie (USS George K. Mackenzie) and USS Rupertus (USS Rupertus) were finally restrained. The disaster injured 161 sailors and killed 134, making it one of the deadliest accidents in US Navy history.
Consequences of the disaster and changes in the Navy
The disaster of the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal caused extensive damage; 21 planes were destroyed and many parts of the flight deck and ship structure were seriously damaged. The cost of repairs was estimated at 72 million dollars.
The story of the most unlucky American destroyer in World War II; The warship that almost killed the president
Why is the powerful F-22 fighter not used in the US Marine Corps?
The US Navy banned the use of coolers in barracks!
The worst aircraft carriers in American history; From sinking in 23 minutes to a project that never got off the ground
The incident prompted the US Navy to completely overhaul its safety procedures. Following these investigations, important changes including improved ammunition handling methods, new firefighting equipment and techniques, and the establishment of the Farrier Firefighting School in Norfolk, Virginia, named after Chief Sergeant Gerald W. Ferrier, who was one of the first victims of the accident, was applied. The changes also included new protocols for carrying ammunition and fuel, along with improvements in damage control and firefighting training, and highlighted the vulnerability of aircraft carriers.