On 5/16/61, a USN McDonnell F3H-2N Demon BuNo 136973 crashed while on approach to the Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, California. Killed in the accident was the 23 year old pilot Lt. Thomas A. Ryan from the Fighter Squadron VF-121 based at Miramar. The Demon went down east of the base in mountainous terrain.

While searching for info online for a crash site that I just visited, I came upon a web site that told about two guys finding an engine while hiking off trail. It only gave a vague location, but after studying the topo maps and doing a lot of thinking, I thought that I had a good idea where it was.

At the start of the hike, the area was covered in a light fog, it was nice to have the cooler weather, but it would be difficult locating the site with the limited visibility.

After searching for nearly two hours, the weather cleared up and I was able to spot the engine on a slope about 100 yards away. I was really glad to find it. The weather was starting to get hot and I had a slight hangover from a party I went to the night before. Was getting close to giving up when I found the engine.

At the base of the slope I could see some more wreckage. At this point I have no idea of the model of the aircraft at this site, only that it's a jet.

First piece of wreckage I came upon as I headed for the engine.

Other side of the same piece.

Next I found this little motor.

The wreckage I spotted at the bottom of the slope turned out to be the afterburner section of the engine. Looks like this is the crash site of fighter.

Another view of the smashed afterburner section.

Sheet metal from the engine.