E-2A Crash at sea

October 16, 1968 as USS FORRESTAL CVA-59 steamed with USS CHARLES F. ADAMS DDG-2 in the Ionian Sea.  Commanding Officer is Captain Robert B. Baldwin,
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> Crash, Three Deaths.
> The crash began at 2220 hours, as a routine night launch of an E-2A Hawkeye from VAW-123 Side Number 733 led the way as usual for all launches aboard FORRESTAL.  The flight was routine as well.  All aircraft recovered as usual until the Hawkeye, which was the last aircraft to recover.  The aircraft boltered and went off the angle deck and into the water, nose first.  When it hit the water, the aircraft flipped over onto its back, breaking its radar dome off and sank within minutes.  The dome floated began floating.  Immediately, helicopters moved into the area for search and rescue operations.  At 2222 hours, USS DYESS DD-880 reports sighting two men in water.  Maneuvering to remain in vicinity of crash.  At 2222 hours, USS DYESS reports sighting two men in the water.  At 2230 hours, recovered one helo with ATN-2 Carpenter aboard.  At 2232 hours, USS DYESS reports picking up LTJG Frederick.  Launching one helo.  At 2235 hours, launched one helo.  At 2257 hours, USS DYESS reports Radome still intact.  Efforts to recover radome unsuccessful.  At 2321 leaving impact area to recover one aircraft.  USS DYESS and USS FISKE DD-842 remain on scene to continue search.  At 2333 hours, recovered one aircraft.  At 2334 hours,  returning to crash scene to continue search.
> AT1 David E. Carpenter and LTJG Frank J. Frederick were rescued with serious injury.  LCDR Paul Martin Wright Operations Officer, LCDR James Leo Delaney, and LTJG Howard Booth Rutledge were lost at sea.