Tony Grayson’s Post

Awesome recovery! I once saw an E-2C disappear off the starboard bow cat after a mid cycle trap and cat (uncommon) while on cruise. I just happened to be observing from the LSO platform as a guest. When they disappeared, everybody forward ran toward the bow and we were certain they would see the Hawkeye in the water. Shortly, the E-2 appeared in front of Kennedy's bow, climbing out. Whew! (The rest of the story) That night in the Dirty Shirt wardroom I joined the chow line behind the XO of the E-2 squadron and asked him what happened? He sheepishly said it was HIS fault. What? Not normally getting a trap and cat mid cycle, and as copilot, he instinctively raised the flaps in anticipation of folding the wings (they don't retract automatically like the S-3 flaps did), but the Handler signaled to keep the wings spread. XO forgot to re-extend the flaps, and nobody inside the airplane nor did the final checkers catch it. What apparently saved them was that they were not as heavy, having burned around half their fuel yet still had max thrust available at launch. They certainly left a rooster tail just like the Screwtops Hummer!

I was onboard IKE when this incident occurred.

Rock solid airmanship built on the best training in the world, situational awareness, and repetition after repetition, all graded, all competitive. Every bit of that came into play + maybe a rabbit’s foot or fuzzy dice. Hope nobody on deck got killed or maimed by the cable.

I flew with Kellen when he was a test pilot at VX -10. A consummate professional.

The actions of the flight deck crew and Medical Department to rapidly implement a mass casualty protocol to provide medical care to those injured on the flight deck when the arresting gear cable parted (which lead to this amazing display of airmanship). Not only was the E-2 saved as demonstrated in this video, so were the lives of those injured on deck. Great job all around to the IKE Team!

Ground-effect is your friend! Nicely done. He saved more than an airplane - four other crew members were spared a violent and potentially deadly end to their day (no ejection seats in the Hawkeye...)

Kellen Smith is not just an amazing pilot and test pilot, he is a man of character, integrity , and professionalism. He is a wonderful friend, father, and husband. We served together at VX-1 and I am proud to call him friend. I had known him for almost two years before someone else told me about his CDP snapping.

My friend from FRAMP was an AT in the "Screwtops" during the deployment. I was in the "Tigertails". We had an engine "Auto-feather" on the cat-stroke. That was scary to watch.

My dad flew this same aircraft in the same squadron! Amazing job well done!!!!🙌