Jet aircraft goes into sea from aircraft carrier

In a drama which lasted for seven minutes, pilot Commander J E Davis US Navy was saved from death in an accident aboard the United States Aircraft Carrier Shangrila during NATO manoeuvres off the coast of Scotland. Commander Davis was taking off by catapult when the Navy F8U-1 Crusader Jet Fighter lurched to the right as result of an apparent failure in the linkage between the plane and the catapult. When the right rear wheel rolled over across the gun tub, it plunged tail first over the side into the sea below. The pictures were taken by Airman J A Warren of Florida - with a Fairchild K-20 aerial camera in approx 20 seconds. The aircraft floated alongside the carrier - and Davis did not clear the plane until after it had submerged. He was rescued and treated in the sick bay - for his only injury - a one inch cut to his left elbow. He was recovered from the water by helicopter approx seven minutes after the start of the launch of the aircraft - and was in the sick bay three minutes later. Photo shows view of the aircraft in the sea as result of the apparent failure of the linkage between plane and catapult

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Airman Alongside Apparent Approx Catapult Clear Crusader Elbow F8u-1 Failure Fairchild Floated Inch K-20 Lasted Linkage Lurched Manoeuvres Minutes Nato Plunged Recovered Rescued Result Rolled Saved Seconds Shangrila Submerged Treated

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