May 25, 1981 Atlantic Ocean An EA-6B aircraft attempting to land at night struck a helicopter, then hit another aircraft and tow tractor before coming to rest. A fuel fire erupted. Improved flight deck fire fighting systems quickly contained the fire, and once the fire was believed to be out, the order was given to start the clean-up. As sailors approached the scene, a SPARROW missile warhead that was buried in the debris detonated. The explosion restarted the fire and three more warheads detonated before the fire could be extinguished. Fourteen sailors were killed and 45 injured. Three planes were destroyed and nine were damaged.
November 30, 1988 Arabian Sea A 20mm cannon on an A-7 Corsair aircraft accidentally fires during maintenance setting six other aircraft ablaze aboard USS NIMITZ, killing one. NIMITZ continues operations.
April 18, 1996 Gulf of Thailand One sailor was killed and four others injured when an arresting cable on NIMITZ' flight deck snapped and struck a group of sailors. The accident happend as an F-14A came in for landing on the deck and the arresting cable broke. The plane apparently landed safely. It is not known if the plane had to abort its effort to land and circle the ship before returning for a landing.