Rogers/Growder Ejection – 25 Oct 78

Pilot:                  WGCDR Dave Rogers, CO 6SQN
                            Cat C – 283  hrs F-111 

Navigator:         FLTLT Pete Growder (RIP)
                            Cat B – 1,037.2 hrs F-111

A8-141       1,508.7 airframe hours

Successful ejection in the Hauraki Gulf, east of Auckland, NZ.  Aircraft caught fire during a compounding emergency on return from a maritime strike mission.  Note, of the 63 successful F-111 ejections worldwide, this is the only recorded ejection that landed in the water, proving the crew module floats!  For proof, listen to their amazing podcast, “Ep.32: Ejecting from an RAAF F-111”

A8-141 Crew Module Floating in the Water

Accident Summary

During an emergency diversion following a wheel-well hot indication, the aircraft suffered a wheel-well fire.  An ejection was initiated and the aircraft crashed into the sea near Auckland, New Zealand. The ejection was successful, however both crew members suffered back injuries … more accident details in this extract from DDAAFS Safety Magazine “Sifting Through the Evidence” DDAAFS_F-111 Accident_141

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A8-141 wreckage colour photos below from Facebook: Friends of the RAAF F-111

 

 

The fire-blackened wheel well – Photo courtesy of Dave Rogers, PLT

Hauling the crew module aboard HMNZS Monowai – Photo courtesy of Dave Rogers, PLT

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Approximately 80% of the wreckage was recovered from a depth of 130 ft; but sadly, Leading Diver Gary Jensen, Royal New Zealand Navy, died during the salvage operation, RIP