[Pukin Dog]

Landings are not made at full throttle, but upon touchdown, the throttles are moved to full in case the hook skips the cables or a cable breaks.

Sometimes a cable will slow the plane enough before snapping, that no amount of thrust will get the plane back into the air. If the cable is intact, but the hook itself breaks, then the plane either has to divert, barracade, or ditch in the ocean anyway.

[dis.kevin]

I never saw a cable snap, but once saw an f-14 loose its tailhook after catching a wire. The aircraft rolled off the end of the angle deck and settled below the flight deck before the burners were lit and they flew out of it. The LSO was calling for the crew to eject but they both stayed with it and safely diverted. Was a real impressive save.

[Normal4me]

I stand corrected. Poor explanation on my part, but I learned everything I know from the Discover Channel so....;-)

[Severa]

*Lives within a few miles of NAS Oceana* wonder if this was one of our guys...

BTW I like your screen name. You guys rank right up there with the Tomcatters and the Grim Reapers as the squadrons with the best looking patches. *S*