Fire on the Flight Deck

Object NamePhotograph

Historic Owner Robert Wayne Osburn

Association USS Intrepid (CV/CVA/CVS-11)

Date1957–1959

PeriodCold War

Mediumphotographic paper

ClassificationsCommunication Artifacts

Credit LineCollection of the Intrepid Museum. Gift of Robert Wayne Osburn and family. P2013.149.149

Object numberP2013.149.149

DescriptionPhotograph, Black and white; Horizontal image of a Douglas AD-6 Skyraider engulfed in flames after an auxiliary fuel tank broke loose from the aircraft. The airplane's tailhook is still attached to the arresting wire, and the aircraft is drifting towards the port side of the ship. The cockpit is open and the pilot is visible. The plane is from Attack Squadron 25 (VA-25) and is numbered, “411”. Flames engulf the airplane, and a plume of black smoke rises from the fire. Two flight deck personnel are running across the deck at the bottom of the image. One of the crew members has his hands raised to his head. His shirt is stenciled, “Arresting // Gear // Officer”. The fuel tank has skidded off the deck. The photograph was taken from the island.

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