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The abort system had two basic control modes, “attitude hold” and “automatic.” In automatic, the computer would take over the guidance and start looking for the command module, which was certainly not what the crew intended to do at that moment. While correcting for a minor yaw-rate-gyro disturbance, the astronauts accidentally switched the spacecraft to the automatic mode, resulting in frantic gyrations.
Apollo Lunar Module
CM viewed from LM after separation
LM Topsy-turvy during staging
What an experience. Glad they came out alright.
PS
How many posts will it take for you to cover Apollo 11?
Your video link wasn’t working, so I did a little research and figured out that part of the address in the middle (the “afj/” just before “ap10fj/”) is missing. Here is the correct link:
https://history.nasa.gov/afj/ap10fj/video/staging-with-audio.mp4
Great episode!
Thanks for the info. It should be working now.