| w Ill 77 The venicle, plying the Eniwetok lagoon waters, struck a submerged coral head and began to sink. aboard the craft. wo life preservers other than kapok seats were The two airmen abandoned the. craft, and only one was able to reach the shore, extensive damage to an aircraft in April 1958 as a result of inadequate ground operation further emphasized the need for continuous supervision of grouna onerations, In this incident, while towing a C-54 aircraft from the hangar, the tug operator and wing walkers were not employing coordinated signals, The aircraft was turned before the stabilizer end rudder were clear of the upper door slot, resulting in a collision wnich caused damaged to the aircraft tail section, culated to be $3,786. The cost of this accident was cal= Subsequently, action was taken to require a spotter om each wing tip and one at the tail when towing aircraft from or to the hangar. Through the collection and analysis of accident and inspection reports the fact was made apsarent that many ground accidents during LANDTACK were preventasle, Furthermore, a determinstion was made that person.el were more prone to ground accidents just before and just after the bepiniing of the cperational phase because (1) individuals were then becoming adjusted pnysicaily and psycholo,ically te island living, (2) iniividuuls «ere not yer fully famisiar with the aazaris of congested and Limited working ana living space, (32) individuals were not ;et aware of all safety and overaLin,, recuirements ay ;:bic4ole te che unsivebox area bub nob encountered Force inst»ll2tions, ani (4) inuividuals «ere not job justeu LO inver-service oueracions. he, AFWL/ HO r ~ ftust oLher ir it ad-