On May 1, 1957 while on a routine test flight from Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Ca, the Lockheed YF-104A # 55-2962 crashed in the Mojave Desert near Harper Lake after one of the tip tanks came loose and sheared off the tail. The Lockheed Aircraft test pilot John J. Simpson Jr. ejected at 17,000 feet and landed with only minor injuries. His YF-104A was the eighth of seventeen service test aircraft manufactured (S/Ns 55-2955/55-2971). The USAF purchased these under a "fly before you buy" philosophy, under which these aircraft would participate in development tests before committing to large scale production.

This photo is of #55-2961, one number off from the aircraft at the crash site.

Photo of the sheared off tail section copied from the crash report.

The F-104's impact crater.

About a year ago Tom G. gave me the general location of where I could find the YF-104A crash site. I has going to meet a group of friends to do a hike in the Lava Mountains and decided to try and locate the site on the way. While driving on one of the dirt roads in the area, came upon some aircraft wreckage right along side the road. This must be the place.

I started walking and after looking around for a couple of minutes found another piece.

Started finding a lot of tiny pieces all over the area.

Looking up I notice a mound of dirt that stood out from the flat terrain.

It was the impact crater made by #55-2962.

Me inside the crater.