Two landings at 16,800 and 17,000 pounds preceded the 18,000-pound attempt. After the aircraft caught a wire, a sudden lurch ended the deceleration and forced an immediate decision about what had broken. Applying full power risked snagging another wire if the cable had parted, while damage to the tail could make an attempted takeoff fatal. Brown opened the throttles, causing a swing toward the deck edge, and escaped so slowly that the aircraft sank close to the sea. Inspection found that the end of the hook had sheared, and the aircraft returned to Hatfield for strengthening. Later trials carried operational equipment and bombs, which could be dropped to reduce landing weight. Another missed arrestment ended with burned-out brakes near the bow, yet the trials supported proceeding with Sea Mosquitos.
Notable Point · 2:43:29-2:45:48
Mosquito arrestor-hook failure at 18,000 pounds
Increasing trial weights produced a broken hook and a near-water escape before strengthened equipment supported further carrier trials.