| Date: 4 May 1969 |
| Aircraft type: F-8J Crusader |
| Serial Number: 150877 |
| Military Unit: VF-53 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Bon Homme Richard |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Cdr James Bryan Lusk, Jr. (Survived) |
| A Crusader had to be abandoned during a combat air patrol when its afterburner blew out as the result of a fuel supply problem.
The following account is from Jim Lusk: I'll make a short story of my ditching: VF-53, Bon Homme Richard, Gulf of Tonkin, dawn of May 4,1969, hot weather and heavy F8J ( Buno 150877) requiring a burner shot. Burner blew out on the cat shot. Would not relight and nozzles failed open. Couldn’t accelerate or climb. Alternate handle would not unseat and my sitting height with the seat pack installed at the time, was too tall to use the face curtain.. Flew for almost two minutes. Maintained wings level. Got canopy off just at impact. Aircraft sank immediately. Don't know if it broke up but suspect it did. Egress procedure didn't work. Undid leg garters, lap and shoulder fittings, got out of cockpit. Had forgotten emergency O2 was in seat pan so was pulled deeper by mask until I could break the connection. Helo pick up. |
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