Video Shows U.S. Navy Crewman Getting Sucked into A-6 Intruder Engine
Dario Leone
Security,
He survived.
Taken on Feb. 20, 1991 during Operation Desert Storm aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), the scary video in this post shows Petty Officer JD Bridges getting sucked into a jet engine of an A-6 Intruder.
Incredibly, Bridget, then 21 years old, managed to survive.
Daniel P Streckfuss, another officer who was with Bridget at the time, explained how his colleague was able to survive.
“I was attached to VFA-15 on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt during that deployment in 1991
“What allowed him to survive was the design of the A-6 engine (the J-52). It has a long protruding ‘bullet’ or cone that extends in front of the first stage fans.
“When he was sucked in, his arm extended above his head which caused his body to wedge between the bullet and inside wall of the intake.”
He also added: “Lucky for him, his helmet and coat were sucked in first which prompted the pilot to cut the throttle.
“It took almost three minutes for him to push his way out of the intake after being sucked in.
“Needless to say, I don’t think he was seen on the flight deck for the rest of the cruise.”
According Daily Mail, the video has been widely used around the world in the years since it was filmed, often by television shows showcasing the amazing survival.
Serving throughout the Vietnam War, the A-6 continued as the Navy’s front line medium-attack aircraft through Operation Desert Storm, during which Navy and Marine Corps A-6slogged more than 4,700 combat sorties. They were not retired until 1997.
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