(top) Tail of the jet being offloaded.
(left) A pod of the the F-16's missles.
(right) Engine parts and other debris.



JOIN NOW!

Sea Tow Benefits  Frequently Asked Questions  Join Sea Tow
Our Service Area  About Us  Home  Sea Tow Advantage Club
Mustang Survival Apparel  Events  Marina List  Weather & Tides
Tide Runner Marine Inc.  North Tides Marine  Links



Sea Tow Atlantic City Recovers Downed F-16 Fighter Jet
On August 31, 2000, an Air National Guard F-16 fighter jet on a training mission suffered engine failure and crashed into the ocean about 1.5 miles off the coast, east of Brigantine. The pilot, rather than crash into a populated area, headed toward the ocean and ejected over the Absecon Inlet. The jet continued on a steady decline and crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. The pilot was found in an inflatable raft by rescuers. He was taken to a nearby hospital and released later in the day.

It was important to the National Guard to recover the wreckage of this multi-million dollar jet so that it could investigate the cause of the engine failure. To handle this unique and vital job, the government contracted with Sea Tow Atlantic City to handle to the recovery operation of the submerged jet.

Finding the wreckage was complicated by rough weather conditions and by the fact that they did not have an exact location of where to look. Hundreds of eyewitnesses watched the jet crash. "We have to thank all the eyewitnesses that helped point in the right direction. The distance got a little confused; it's hard looking out in the ocean with no point of reference." Capt. John McLaughlin of Sea Tow Atlantic City said. Using sophisticated sonar equipment, Sea Tow was able to pinpoint the location of the wreckage.

Using special salvage equipment, Sea Tow was able to lift the 15 to 20 foot long engine on to the deck of a 110-foot ship. It took almost the whole days just to get the engine out of the water. "After all the larger pieces were brought to the surface, we raked the bottom of the ocean to find most of the small pieces." Capt. McLaughlin said. Every piece of the F-16 is important in finding out what happened. The US Department of Environmental Protection and county public-health officials monitored the salvage operation.

Sea Tow Atlantic City was able to successfully recover about 99% of the wreckage. It was a huge undertaking for Sea Tow Atlantic City and they did a commendable job.

FROM: 'Lifelines' (c) December 2000