08/18/2025
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An F/A-18 accidentally launched a Sidewinder during carrier operations.
On October 1990, an F/A-18 Hornet accidentally launched an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile while on the carrier’s flight deck during operations in the Philippine Sea.
The missile fired unexpectedly and shot across the deck.
It narrowly missed flight deck crewmen, who can be seen in the famous photo running for safety.
Fortunately, the missile’s warhead did not detonate, preventing what could have been a catastrophic chain reaction among the tightly packed aircraft and munitions.
There were no fatalities, though the incident caused aircraft damage and a very dangerous near-miss for the sailors on deck.
This incident occurred aboard the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CV-41) in October 1990 during operations in the Philippine Sea.⚓🇺🇸
