A-4C Skyhawk Crash Site

April 18th 2018





Summery :

 The Douglas A-4C is night/adverse weather capable version of A-4 Skyhawk lightweight attack aircraft for US Navy and Marine Co. This US Navy A-4C (#148520) was belonged to VA-34 and stationed NAAS Fallon, Nevada.
On March 6, 1968, this Skyhawk piloted by LCdr. Sam H. Hawkins was a part of a twenty two plane air group coordinated strike force participating in a simulated Alfa strike. The flight proceeded to the Twenty Nine Palms tactical Range E and as the last section in the flight, two A-4Cs (Lead #148520 & Wingman #149626) made the final bombing runs of the strike.
While retiring from the target, the lead commenced jinking to avoid simulated AAA fire, his wingman attempting to maintain bearing and close the distance on the lead, suddenly found himself slightly ahead of bearing. The lead commenced a fake right turn followed by a descending left turn into the wingman. The lead aircraft collided while the wingman was attempting to cross under to the outside of the turn.
The lead aircraft (#148520) lost the outboard four feet of the left wing along with the left drop tank and the aircraft immediately went into a violent left spin. LCdr. Hawkins ejected almost immediately at approximately 3000 feet AGL. The aircraft impacted at the base of a ridge of mountains between two peaks.
His Wingman circled the scene of the crash to determine LCdr. Hawkins condition and then was escorted by a participating A-6 aircraft and led to an uneventful landing at NOTS China Lake. LCdr. Hawkins was picked up by a power line worker and later transferred to an Air Force helicopter and taken to George AFB hospital.


    
Description



Manufacturer:
McDonnell Douglas
Base model:
A-4
Version:
C
Nickname:
Skyhawk
Designation System:
U.S. Navy
Designation Period:
1956-2003 (U.S.Navy)
Basic role:
Lightweight Attack
Serial Number:
148520
Crash Date:
1968/3/6
Cause of Crash:
Mid-Air Collision
Fatalities:
0




Specifications



Length:
41'3"" 12.6 m
Height:
15'" 4.6 m
Wingspan:
27'6"" 8.4 m
Wingarea:
259.0 sq ft 24.2 sq m
Empty Weight:
10,450 lb 4,750 kg
Gross Weight:
18,300 lb 8,318





Propulsion



No. of Engines:
1
Powerplant:
Pratt & Whitney J52-P408 turbojet
Thrust:
11,200 lb





Performance



Max Speed:
645 mph 1,038 km/h 560 kt
Ceiling:
38,698 ft 11,795 m


    
Other A-4 Link :
 Wikipedia Link : McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
    



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