On January 16, 1966, an RA-5C Vigilante (BN149312) with two crew members attempted a night landing on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA 61) in the South China Sea. As the Vigilante touched down, a shower of sparks from its aft portion was observed. The aircraft then continued off the deck, failed to climb, and impacted the water. No ejections or attempts by the crew to exit the aircraft were observed before it sank. Search and rescue units responded immediately but were unable to recover either crew member.
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