F-4D Phantom II Crash Site

December 14th 2017





Summery :

 The McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II is an US Air Force version of all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor and fighter-bomber originally developed for the US Navy.
This F-4D (#66-0227) was assigned to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Hill AFB.
On March 7th 1979, it took off from Nellis AFB during the Ecercise Red Flag 79-4. The objective for the team of 6 planes was to ingress to the target as two ship elements. After leaving the refueling track, it started their low-level approach.
They crossed over the small ridge in a 90-degree angle, and just barely touched one ridge with the left wing tip. It then continued its flight path across the next wash, beginning to loose small pieces of the wing. The disabled plane then slammed into a rocky knoll on top of the ridge, knocking out a section of some 20 feet of solid rock. After that impact the plane fully disintegrated. The canopy ended up in the next wash, but some heavier pieces of the engine flew clear over yet another ridge and sit on top of a plateau there, over half mile from the main impact point.
The crash investigation could not determine any mechanical failure or in-flight fire prior to impact. The position of the stabilizer indicates a pull up or evasive action conducted by the pilot immediately prior to impact.
Both pilot Robert F. Johnson and navigator Jay F. Hagen died in the crash.



    
Description



Manufacturer:
McDonnell Douglas
Base model:
F-4
Version:
D
Nickname:
Phantom II
Designation System:
U.S. Air Force
Designation Period:
1960-Present
Basic role:
Fighter-Bomber
Serial Number:
66-0227
Year built:
1966
Crash Date:
1979/3/7
Fatalities:
2




Specifications



Length:
62' 10" 18.9 m
Height:
16' 6" 5.0 m
Wingspan:
38' 5" 11.7 m
Wingarea:
530.0 sq ft 49.2 sq m
Empty Weight:
28,276 lb 12,823 kg
Gross Weight:
50,341 lb 22,830 kg





Propulsion



No. of Engines:
2
Powerplant:
General Electric J79-GE-15
Thrust (each):
10,900 lb





Performance



Cruise Speed:
587 mph 945 km/h 510 kt
Max Speed:
1,459 mph 2,349 km/h 1,269 kt
Ceiling:
59,400 ft 18,104 m


    
Other F-4 Link :
 Wikipedia Link : McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
    



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