Reportedly: In November 2002, while training in Nevada, VF-213, an F-14D squadron was tasked with giving a Familiarization Flight to an officer from an Aegis Class Cruiser. Apparently this guys shoulder straps were not properly adjusted. While pulling Negative Gs he began to float out of the ejection seat. In order to readjust his position he reached down and grabbed those little yellow and black stripped handles. Bang! The next thing he knew he was no longer in the Tomcat. He landed with minor injuries, was rescued and the Tomcat was recovered safely at NAS Fallon.
Bummer!
There's a lesson here somewhere!~
Assume that the position of the
ejection seat sequencing was EMFT ("every man for themselves"!)
