An apparatus for the recovery of an aircraft includes a capture device and first and second pole pairs. The first pole pair includes first top and bottom poles respectively placed near first top and bottom portions of the capture device. The first pole pair is configured to move from a first position, in which the pole pair holds the capture device in an open position to capture the aircraft, to a second position, in which the pole pair holds the capture device in a closed position to contain the captured aircraft after impact of the aircraft on the capture device. The second pole pair includes second top and bottom poles respectively placed near second top and bottom portions of the capture device. The second pole pair is also configured to move from the first position to the second position. Further, energy elements are coupled on one end to a respective top or bottom portion of the capture device and on another end to a respective top or bottom pole. The energy elements are disposed to absorb the force of the impact of the aircraft.