Just the other day he posted about losing the drag chute landing.
I wonder if that's a problem on the kifr's.
No clue but a drogue is a bad idea in general IMO - fouls the runway and prevents high-tempo ops. The Navy quit F-21's a long time ago for good reason.
Here's the TailHook Assoc article on his passing.
http://tailhookdaily.typepad.com/tailhook_daily_briefing/