I think if you look for the truth (unlikely) you will find that Lt. McCain was walking accross the deck of the Forresthal after an uneventful landing. His jet was safely parked and tethered as it should have been. Another jet crash landed, slid into McCain's parked plane and ruptured the fuel tank. He had his helmet off and was talking to somebody when the crash occurred behind him. There is film of the incident and it has been shown on national television in the last 10 years or so.