| Date: 14 November 1970 |
| Aircraft type: RF-8G Crusader |
| Serial Number: 145624 |
| Military Unit: Detachment 34, VFP-63 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Oriskany |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Joseph Russell Klugg (KWF) |
| Shortly before it was due to finish its fifth war cruise, the Oriskany lost a Crusader pilot in a tragic accident. The aircraft was being launched on a photographic reconnaissance mission when the Crusader’s starboard main undercarriage failed as it accelerated down the catapult. On leaving the deck the aircraft rolled to the right and crashed into the sea Lt Klugg ejected as the aircraft rolled off the ship but there was not enough time for the seat to separate and he was drowned. The ship finished its line duty on 22 November having lost four aircraft, only one of them due to enemy action, during 90 days on the line. |
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