RF-4B Phantom II Crash Site

April 15th 2018

Summery : The McDonnell Douglas RF-4B was an unarmed photo reconnaissance version of the F-4 Phantom II for the US Marine Corps This RF-4B (BuNo 153098) was assigned to the VMFP-3(Marine Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 3),MCAS El Toro. On October 22nd 1975, it had just finished a photo mission as it approached Parker, AZ to pick up the IFR and head back to El Toro. At about 9:10AM, the pilot for unknown reasons decided to perform three consecutive hard turns while maintaining level flight throughout each turn. Failure of the pilot to recognize the low airspeed, high angle of attack situation, coupled with an attempt to place the aircraft in a high angle of bank by a series of reverse turns led to the departure of controlled flight. The pilot stated to the NFO that the aircraft had departed and as they dropped through 5,000 feet the pilot said to "punch out." The NFO Captain Anderson successfully bailed out and landed 150 feet from the aircraft while the pilot 1st. Lt. Robert M. Bach was killed as he impacted the ground before the seat-man separation.

	Description Manufacturer: McDonnell Douglas Base model: RF-4 Version: B Nickname: Phantom II Designation System: US Marine Corps Designation Period: 1966-1990 Basic role: photo reconnaissance Serial Number: 153098 Year built: 1966 Crash Date: 1975/10/22 Fatalities: 1 Specifications Length: 62' 11" 19.18 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-8B 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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