An arresting cable retraction mechanism for use across an aircraft runway. The retraction mechanism functions to extend a cable across a runway (for capture by a tailhook of an aircraft) without causing the cable to recede below the runway surface during an aircraft rollover/deflection event. The arresting cable retraction mechanism is also designed to help prevent damage to a retraction motion actuator due to high speed aircraft rollover. The disclosed system separates components related to retraction vs. deflection due to rollover, such that rollover events do not affect or load the motion actuator used for retraction.