Collision of EA-6B Prowler with S-3B Viking Aboard USS Enterprise (Complete Footage)

Video from this tragic mishap has been publicly available for years but I have been sitting on this longer (and marginally better quality) version for a while now and it does little good hanging out on my hard drive.

Many of you will recognize this footage as capturing the November 8, 1998 collision of an EA-6B Prowler, BuNo. 163885/'AC-503' of VAQ-130, US Navy, based at Whidbey Island, Washington, with an S-3B Viking, BuNo. 159733 of VS-22, US Navy.

The Viking was struck on the fouled-as-could-be deck by the EA‑6B during night landing practice aboard the USS Enterprise, and both flight crews ejected from their planes. Remarkably, one of the Viking crew members was quickly located entangled by his parachute in the antennae complex of the carrier's command island. The other Viking crew member was scooped up from the frigid ocean water not long thereafter.

But the night wasn’t a good one for the Prowler crew. All four aboard - Lieutenant Commander Kurt W. "Gumby" Barich, 35, of Oak Harbour, Washington, and Lieutenants – Junior Grade Brendan J. "Duff" Duffy, 27, of Annapolis, Maryland; Charles E. "Woody" Woodard, 26, of Herndon, Virginia; and Meredith C. "Pop" Loughran, 26, of Sanston, Virginia; were lost.

The body of LtJG Duffy was found that night, but even with the assistance of two other Navy ships in the search the remaining three were never found. I have a physical collection of color photos of the salvaged aircraft, along with - sadly - [photographs of] what personal effects were recovered. If there is interest I will scan and upload those photos. Let me know.

Notes:

1. The tint is not in the original. Its addition significantly enhances perceived contrast in this footage.

2. The Navy is responsible for the choppy slow-motion replay in this video, not me.

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