“The main issue is that carrier aircraft use a constant descent rate to fly right into the wires on the ship. There is no flaring the landing to break the rate of descent and soften the blow. This is why they are often referred to as “controlled crashes.” If the deck is coming up too fast, it could add enough to that descent rate to break the airplane. In extreme cases, it may be enough to jump up and smack an aircraft that’s too low, destroying it against the fantail. There have also been incidences of aircraft waving off late, only to have the deck rise up, the cable grabbing the hook while everything is airborne, starting to fly away. The aircraft is slammed back into the deck like a hammer against an anvil.”
Found at www.slate.com.
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