What Happens When an Arresting Cable Breaks on US Aircraft Carriers?

We explore the dangerous and potentially catastrophic consequences that can occur when an arresting cable breaks on an US aircraft carrier. The arresting cable is a critical component of the ship's flight deck, designed to quickly slow down and stop aircraft that have just landed. When the cable snaps, it can cause significant damage to the aircraft, the flight deck, and even the ship itself.

In this in-depth analysis, we examine the various factors that can lead to cable failure, such as wear and tear, improper maintenance, and harsh weather conditions. We also explore the safety measures in place to prevent cable breakage and minimize the risks to aircraft, crew, and ship.

Whether you're a military aviation enthusiast or just interested in learning more about aircraft carriers and their inner workings, this video is a must-watch. With expert insights, stunning footage, and detailed animations, we bring you the full story of what happens when an arresting cable breaks on an US aircraft carrier. #aircraftcarrier #usnavy #sailors

aircraft carrier, arresting cable, flight deck, aircraft, US military, naval aviation, aviation safety, cable failure, naval technology.

[navyproductions]

Do you also have great respect for the men and women of the U.S. Navy? Especially the US Navy pilots who have to land on the flight deck. Then like this video to pay your respects and thank them for their service. Let us know if you've ever worked on the flight deck ⬇️💙

[vcjjj]

Enjoyed my 24 yrs onboard CVN 69, 75 and LHD-1. Retired 2 yrs ago and miss it a lot. Never thought I would say that. I was terrified of the flight deck. I worked inside the skin of the ship. Air Dept guys and ladies were always top notch. Godspeed to you all.

[BarucHashem]

God Bless our Men and Woman in Service at home and abroad! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. God Bless America! The Land We Should all Love!

[timrussell]

Had 124 successful carrier landings from from 1989 to 1992. Never had a cable break, but, experienced several missed hooks due to weather and other factors. The first dozen takeoffs and landings on a carrier are terrifying, after that, its just routine stress and anxiety. Wouldn't have traded any of it for the world!

[larryjackson]

I served in the USAF 1965-1969. I have the utmost respect for Navy pilots!!

God bless our military and their families!

[Kathleen-rr]

My Dad served on the USS Roosevelt (first), the USS Carl Vinson, and the USS Nimitz in the 80s. He rose to Senior Chief and his squadron maintained the AWACS planes. My family got to go on a "Dependents cruise." I'm so proud of his service.

[jimpowell]

I was in VF-154. Attached to CAW 2. Our carrier was the USS Ranger. Two Vietnam war time cruises 1967-68 and 68-69. Tonkin Gulf yacht club. Also we went to the very cold Sea of Japan when the North Koreans took the USS Pueblo off the high seas in January 1968. Seeing the flight deck activities always brings back a lot of memories. I worked on the radar systems in the F-4B phantom and F-4J phantom. Spent quite a bit of time on the flight deck, mostly night ops as I worked 7pm to 7am. VF-154 Black Knights we were a tight group. Being war time cruises we had a lot of bombs and missiles being loaded. Many unreps. I can say this, the operations have not changed on the flight deck. Aircraft being launched and recovered. That is a constant. Fair winds and following seas to you all.

[jossefg]

There is no backup arresting cable on an aircraft carrier. Most carriers have 4 cables where a couple have three. They do not repair a broken cable it is replaced.

[cherylbanquer]

I have always admired the pilots on an air craft carrier as well as all the support staff. Thank each and every one of you as well as your families that share you with our nation!

[robertlutz]

Lived in Florida 40 years ago. Knew a Navy Deck officer that used to take his legs of and set them on the bar.. cable broke, cut one leg off below the knee, the other above the knee. Hell of a nice guy in spite of what happened to him.

[richardracine]

There is no back up cable at the end of the runway. No crosswind landings on a carrier. The ship turns into the wind for recoveries. In rough seas, the Landing Signals Officer adjusts the glideslope manually presented to the pilot to account for the pitching deck. The night A-6 barricade arrestment occurred on USS Ranger in 1987 and the deck was pitching up and down more than 40 ft (I was in a squadron aircraft on the flight deck at the time). The LSOs are well trained to overcome such issues. Uh, no detailed briefing from the tower. Everything is zip lip during the day. Uh, they are steam catapults not hydraulic catapults. The tower does not monitor the aircrafts control and decent, the Landing Signals Officer does that but only actively during night ops. Daytime recoveries are normally zip lip. The hook is dropped way in advance of final approach. If the aircraft bolters (ie, doesn't engage a wire) which can occur for a number of reasons, the pilot simply goes to max power and takes off again. That is why modern carriers have angle decks. The pilot is not congratulated on a safe and successful mission. They instead go to the dirty shirt wardroom for a slider and a cup of coffee (it doesn't get any better than that). The closing comments were accurate. Awesome photos and videos of carrier ops. It truly is a sight to see. This cannot begin to characterize the skill and courage of our Navy and USMC men and women and aviators who are the best in the world! Semper Fi.

[ericcallicoat]

Was aboard U.S.S. Nimitz for Med Cruise 1981-1982. We had a crash of an EA-6B on the flight deck off of Mayport, Florida destroying several other aircraft and killing 14 people. 78 were so severely burned they had to be medevac'd to shore. We had the first deployment of the great F-14 Tomcat in the med and Ronald Reagan told Mohamar Khaddafi that he didn't control as much of the Mediteranean Sea as he thought and so we proceeded to shoot down 2 of his fighter jets with the then new tomcat combat air patrol. America 2, Libya 0.

[jodyjames]

As a Boilertech we provided steam to operate not only the ship but also the cats - proud to have served

[LoFiMofo]

Worked six months on the flight deck of the Kennedy, CV 67, in 92/93. Saw an E2 Hawkeye crash after getting waved off for smoke in the cockpit(all 5 aircrew died). Saw a F-18 bolter 6 times as the tail hook wouldn’t lock and bounced every time, pilot had to land in Egypt. Saw another F18 land at night with the parking brake on, blew all the tires out. Watched an F14 almost get swallowed by a giant wave that broke over the bow just as the cat was shooting it off the end of the deck in heavy seas, still can’t believe he made it. Luckily never had an arresting cable break. Loved working on the flight deck, so glad i had the opportunity to do that.

[joemoore]

When the aircraft touches down on the deck he automatically pushes the throttles to full power whether he grabs the arresting cable or not. If he misses the cable or it brakes he has enough power to fly back off the deck. I was on the carrier USS Constellation in the 70's as a plane captain and we had 4 arresting wires. The last wire ( #4 ) was not an "emergency cable", it was just #4. I never heard it called an emergency cable. The arresting cable was changed after a certain number of landings on that wire as a safety measure, worn or not. Aircraft were "bingo'd" back to land if he was in range of a landing field if he could not extend his hook. The cable was always a danger to us and you always kept an eye out for it during landings. It did not help if you worked night shift on the "roof". It did not have to brake to kill you. P.S. Pilots would place beer bets on what wire the pilot would grab on landing. Catching the # 4 wire cost you a case of beer to the other pilots ! You always shot for # 3.

[scottscott]

Just who doesn't love our airmen? and our sailors you are remarkable people and thank you for protecting our country.

[murdockme]

Great to see this coverage of a very dangerous job which I had the honor of doing for a very long West Pac cruise many years ago. Hookrunner is a fun thing to do, but also quite dangerous. Those cables move quickly and if you're not careful they will knock you over or wrap around you and drag you down the deck in a very rough way. I'd rather be tackled and thrown around by a football team than a moving arresting cable (having been knocked down and dragged by one and surviving it). Thanks for sharing this.

[richardfuchs]

Navy pilots are the best in the world. I was a fly 2 director on the USS INDEPENDENCE. 74-77

[MrMulefan]

My father was on the HMCS Magnificent in the 50's. Canadian carrier. Some of the stories he told would raise your hair. One, they were thought lost in the Indian ocean in a hurricane with 90 foot seas. They lost comms and when they returned to port there was seaweed on the radar. I have many slides taken of them fishing sea fury's off the side of the deck. I have such admiration of all the people who serve, regardless of what branch of military. Thank you all for keeping us free

[douge]

Red Shirt CVN 69 Theflight deck of a carrier is both the most exhilirating and dangerous place one can ever work. Even when I wasnt working Id go watch flight ops from the bridge. I often miss the sound and fury of that environment. When one considers that most of the people you see out there working are ages 19-24 you know you have the best of the best defending your country. From one vet to another Thankyou for your service.