Something is very wrong with that statement. The plane carrying the Zuni missile was about as far aft as it could be. They also confirmed that it fired due to an electrical malfunction they didn’t think possible. Safeties had been disconnected and electricity traveled the circuit in a way they didn’t think could happen IIRC.
That's why all they could figure was an unexpected static discharge. The Navy wasn't in CYA mode those days. They could have devised some scientific reason why the Zuni launched.
A few things:
1. The fallacy about McCain firing his missle is BS. It obviously came from an F4 across deck.
2. I've seen that video in basic back in 1975 and many times since.
3. I don't think the Navy still knows which aircraft dropped the bombs onto the burning fuel from the Zuni hit.
4. It's been proven those bombs were obsolete and just asking to light off.
5. I don't believe the AO's (red shirts) were responsible in mis-handling the missle.
The part of that video that is forever embedded into my mind, was that heroic hapless CPO running towards the infernal with only a hand-held PKP canister. The first bomb lights off and he is vaporized. Wonder if they ever found any parts. DNA was not available at the time.
Although there were many heroic efforts by the crew to save their shipmates and their ship, he was the first from what I can tell. I saw no movement of a Crash crew nor any activity of the trained flight deck personnel. No one ever mentions his name in these threads.
Last thought: When I mentioned Navy CYA above, I have yet to see the official reports of the Ferguson and McCain collisions with slow-moving freighters. Haven't followed the McCain incident, but the Ferguson has stories about a pissing contest between the female OOD and the commander of CIC. Can you guide me to the most reliable sources? Sorry, don't want to Google - too many sites to research.
I called it back in the late 70's when women were only assigned to oilers/supply ships. I saw it in line when crossing a tender in line for liberty in Diego Garcia. Some poor sap quietly mentioned what a nice ass and immediately got pulled aside from some female CPO. Of course, then you have the Tailhook scandal because some poor wittle girls didn't like getting slapped on the bottom just like the guys. Many good careers were ruined by that PC nonsense.
Women should NOT be on combat ships nor any combat role in the Armed Services. Their hormone fluctuations are problematic, yet here we are.