On July 9, 1991 Pilot Lt. Mark Baden and Navigator Keith Gallagher were on a routine refueling mission on their A6 Intruder.
After connecting to the tanker, Baden noticed a stuck float in one of the tanks. He “jiggled” the plane, to try to dislodge it, but to no avail. After trying one or two more ways to remedy the situation, he suddenly heard a loud “bang!” The cockpit depressurized and Baden was instantly disoriented. He looked behind him and saw that Gallagher was hanging halfway out of the aircraft.
At 8000 ft and at 230 knots, Gallagher had experienced a failed ejection. Gallagher’s parachute had deployed and wrapped itself around the tail section of the plane then the timing release mechanism had fired and released him from the seat. The only things holding him attached to the plane were the parachute straps.
He slammed his head through the canopy and the wind tore his mask off instantly and breathing became almost impossible.
Baden immediately slowed the plane down and began heading towards the carrier.
Under tremendous pressure, Baden managed to land the plane as smoothly as possible, knowing that Gallagher's body was surrounded by sharp plexiglass that would have easily impaled him if he didn't land the plane just right.
Gallagher survived with only minor injuries and Baden was awarded the Air Medal. #stayzero