A-6 Intruder Carrier Deck Ejection in Persian Gulf - 2/16/91- the aircraft lost braking power after landing on the America, resulting seconds later in the carrier deck ejections of its pilot and bombardier/navigator; respectively Lieutenant Commander Mac Williams and Lieutenant L. Fox.
"A/C did not break-up or crash into the deck upon landing. A/C took several AAA hits but was able to return to USS America. A/C was losing hydraulic fluid and after a successful trap, did not have brakes after disengaging the arresting cable. The tail hook was down and subsequently the nose-wheel steering was centered. Pilot could neither retract the tail hook, steer or stop the A/C due to the fluid loss.
As the A/C approached the end of the deck, unable to stop, the pilot and BN ejected. The A/C nosed over the deck, coming to rest tail-up without going completely over. At this point the rest of the returning strike is in the pattern and low on gas. All available deck crew were summoned to push the A/C overboard to clear the deck so the rest of the strike could recover. The A/C was by all means repairable (it flew back to the ship) but time did not permit the use of the crane to move it out of the way."
"I was an ASM with VAW-123 and a witness to the entire event and one who helped push it over the side. Aviation boatswain mate 3rd class Wendell F Richie here I was on the P-16 fire truck that responded and I was the one who put aff on it so it wouldn't catch on fire. My driver/abh-2 Thomas White got in the Crane/Tilly boomed down waited for the Captains decision and used the boom to push it over the side...no one used their hands to assist pushing it over... Oh and pilots that ejected got hurt [broken leg] when landing on non skid flight deck..."