| Date: 18 February 1969 |
| Aircraft type: KA-3B Skywarrior |
| Serial Number: 138943 |
| Military Unit: Detachment 43, VAH-10 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Coral Sea |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Cdr Rodney Max Chapman (KWF) |
| AMS1 Stanley Milton Jerome (KWF) |
| AO1 Eddie Ray Schimmels (KWF) |
| A more serious accident occurred to another Navy aircraft on the 17th. A KA-3B Skywarrior from the Coral Sea was lost with all hands during a night tanker mission. The aircraft was patrolling over the Gulf of Tonkin, about 80 miles off Dong Hoi in case it was needed to refuel aircraft on their way back to their carriers. On his return to the Coral Sea, Lt Cdr Chapman overflew the carrier and started a wide circuit to make a GCA approach. The aircraft started to descend and Lt Cdr Chapman was told to turn towards the ship. However, he did not respond to the message and the aircraft continued straight ahead until it was lost from the carrier’s radar screen. A search was initiated throughout the night and into the next day but with no success. The probable cause of the accident was recorded as controlled flight into the sea probably due to pilot fatigue. The tankers often flew very long and tiring missions in their unceasing efforts to support the combat forces. There had earlier been a problem with a fuel transfer with another aircraft and this may have distracted the pilot. |
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