Sheep Range F-16A 7/27/07

On December 27, 1982, F-16A #79-0343 USAF crashed north of Las Vegas. From the USAF crash report: The mishap aircraft was lead of a two ship mission scheduled for Basic Fighter Maneuvers in ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:56:56 -0800

Joe Idoni
On December 27, 1982, F-16A #79-0343 USAF crashed north of Las Vegas. From the USAF crash report: The mishap aircraft was lead of a two ship mission scheduled for Basic Fighter Maneuvers in ...

Driving down Hwy 95 after spending the night in the Lake Tahoe area.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:12:45 -0700

Joe Idoni
Driving down Hwy 95 after spending the night in the Lake Tahoe area.

After a lot of hours on the highways and a few miles of dirt, I'm getting close to the site.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:12:53 -0700

Joe Idoni
After a lot of hours on the highways and a few miles of dirt, I'm getting close to the site.

This is the area the crash site is located. It's getting late and will be dark in less than two hours. Decided to spend the night and check out the site tomorrow morning.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:24:39 -0700

Joe Idoni
This is the area the crash site is located. It's getting late and will be dark in less than two hours. Decided to spend the night and check out the site tomorrow morning.

Looking up at the crash site as I start hiking up the slope, got an early start before it gets to hot.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:12:56 -0700

Joe Idoni
Looking up at the crash site as I start hiking up the slope, got an early start before it gets to hot.

Looking back to where I parked just off the road.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:12:57 -0700

Joe Idoni
Looking back to where I parked just off the road.

First piece I came upon.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:12:58 -0700

Joe Idoni
First piece I came upon.

Access door.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:12:58 -0700

Joe Idoni
Access door.

Tail end of the 300 gallon centerline fuel tank.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:00 -0700

Joe Idoni
Tail end of the 300 gallon centerline fuel tank.

One of the wings.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:01 -0700

Joe Idoni
One of the wings.

Lot of wreckage further up the slope.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:02 -0700

Joe Idoni
Lot of wreckage further up the slope.

When I first saw this thought that it might be part of the wing fairing.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:08 -0700

Joe Idoni
When I first saw this thought that it might be part of the wing fairing.

Turning it over saw this pouch inside. No idea what the pouch is for, but I think this piece is part of the fairing for one of the pylons.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:10 -0700

Joe Idoni
Turning it over saw this pouch inside. No idea what the pouch is for, but I think this piece is part of the fairing for one of the pylons.

One of the variable nozzle flaps.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:11 -0700

Joe Idoni
One of the variable nozzle flaps.

This appears to be the impact spot. There is a lot of small pieces here.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:13 -0700

Joe Idoni
This appears to be the impact spot. There is a lot of small pieces here.

This pylon was just below the impact spot.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:14 -0700

Joe Idoni
This pylon was just below the impact spot.

Next to the pylon was a piece of one of the speed brakes.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:16 -0700

Joe Idoni
Next to the pylon was a piece of one of the speed brakes.

Close by were pieces of the landing gear.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:18 -0700

Joe Idoni
Close by were pieces of the landing gear.

There was a lot of smashed electronic equipment scattered over the crash site.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:19 -0700

Joe Idoni
There was a lot of smashed electronic equipment scattered over the crash site.

Looking across the impact spot to some wreckage on the slope on the other side of the gully.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:24:40 -0700

Joe Idoni
Looking across the impact spot to some wreckage on the slope on the other side of the gully.

Pieces of the fuselage.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:21 -0700

Joe Idoni
Pieces of the fuselage.

This 20mm shell was the only one I saw out here. It was heavy, think the bullet was pushed into it. No sign of any pieces from the gun.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:23 -0700

Joe Idoni
This 20mm shell was the only one I saw out here. It was heavy, think the bullet was pushed into it. No sign of any pieces from the gun.

Gears

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:24 -0700

Joe Idoni
Gears

The augmentor fuel pump.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:25 -0700

Joe Idoni
The augmentor fuel pump.

Just above the impact spot was the left tailplane with a piece of the body fairing.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:27 -0700

Joe Idoni
Just above the impact spot was the left tailplane with a piece of the body fairing.

Only the root section of the tailplane remained attached to it's pivot point.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:28 -0700

Joe Idoni
Only the root section of the tailplane remained attached to it's pivot point.

Closer look showing the carbon fiber construction.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:29 -0700

Joe Idoni
Closer look showing the carbon fiber construction.

Piece of the fuselage marked "EJECTION SEAT".

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:31 -0700

Joe Idoni
Piece of the fuselage marked "EJECTION SEAT".

Wiring harness.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:33 -0700

Joe Idoni
Wiring harness.

Found the fin near the ridge.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:35 -0700

Joe Idoni
Found the fin near the ridge.

Trying to get a photo with the fin. The 20 second self timer didn't give me enough time to lift the fin, it's heavier than it looked.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:24:41 -0700

Joe Idoni
Trying to get a photo with the fin. The 20 second self timer didn't give me enough time to lift the fin, it's heavier than it looked.

Another shot after I got the fin to stand up on it's own. The markings are in good shape on this side.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:36 -0700

Joe Idoni
Another shot after I got the fin to stand up on it's own. The markings are in good shape on this side.

Tactical Air Command insignia.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:40 -0700

Joe Idoni
Tactical Air Command insignia.

NA is the 474th TFW out of Nellis AFB, Nevada.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:38 -0700

Joe Idoni
NA is the 474th TFW out of Nellis AFB, Nevada.

Base of the fin still has a piece of one of the rear fuselage bulkheads attached. Also can be seen hydraulic lines and coaxial cables.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:41 -0700

Joe Idoni
Base of the fin still has a piece of one of the rear fuselage bulkheads attached. Also can be seen hydraulic lines and coaxial cables.

Laid the fin back down the way I found it.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:43 -0700

Joe Idoni
Laid the fin back down the way I found it.

The radar warning antenna from the top of the fin.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:44 -0700

Joe Idoni
The radar warning antenna from the top of the fin.

Nearby was the antenna that goes just below the rudder.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:45 -0700

Joe Idoni
Nearby was the antenna that goes just below the rudder.

View of the other side of the same piece.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:46 -0700

Joe Idoni
View of the other side of the same piece.

Think this piece is from the top of the fuselage.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:47 -0700

Joe Idoni
Think this piece is from the top of the fuselage.

I'm holding the antenna that broke off it's mount which is still attached to a piece of the fuselage.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:49 -0700

Joe Idoni
I'm holding the antenna that broke off it's mount which is still attached to a piece of the fuselage.

This door has a chart showing what presure to fill at a particular temperature range.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:50 -0700

Joe Idoni
This door has a chart showing what presure to fill at a particular temperature range.

One of the two engine thrust mounts.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:52 -0700

Joe Idoni
One of the two engine thrust mounts.

No idea what this is.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:53 -0700

Joe Idoni
No idea what this is.

Looks like this is part of the nozzle assembly.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:54 -0700

Joe Idoni
Looks like this is part of the nozzle assembly.

Blades from the engine.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:55 -0700

Joe Idoni
Blades from the engine.

Think this is the right flaperon, didn't take a good look at it.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:55 -0700

Joe Idoni
Think this is the right flaperon, didn't take a good look at it.

Making my way towards the other slope. Can see some wreckage scattered there.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:56 -0700

Joe Idoni
Making my way towards the other slope. Can see some wreckage scattered there.

Rear fan duct and thrust mount, plus some plumbing, also in this shot is an augmentor actuator mount.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:57 -0700

Joe Idoni
Rear fan duct and thrust mount, plus some plumbing, also in this shot is an augmentor actuator mount.

This might look like a nice little bunny rabbit, but it scared the hell out me when it jumped out of a bush by my feet.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:58 -0700

Joe Idoni
This might look like a nice little bunny rabbit, but it scared the hell out me when it jumped out of a bush by my feet.

The right tailplane.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:59 -0700

Joe Idoni
The right tailplane.

Close up of the tip showing one of the static dishargers.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:13:59 -0700

Joe Idoni
Close up of the tip showing one of the static dishargers.

Chaff and flare dispenser.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:03 -0700

Joe Idoni
Chaff and flare dispenser.

The upper speed brake.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:00 -0700

Joe Idoni
The upper speed brake.

Another view of the speed brake.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:01 -0700

Joe Idoni
Another view of the speed brake.

This shot shows the where the actuator was connected to the tailplane, the other tailplane also had the actuator removed. The hydraulic lines are for the split trailing edge speed brake actu ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:02 -0700

Joe Idoni
This shot shows the where the actuator was connected to the tailplane, the other tailplane also had the actuator removed. The hydraulic lines are for the split trailing edge speed brake actu ...

Tags on the root of the tailplane. The four tags on the left say "FRACTURE CRITICAL PART".

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:03 -0700

Joe Idoni
Tags on the root of the tailplane. The four tags on the left say "FRACTURE CRITICAL PART".

Looking back at the slope with the impact site after crossing the gully.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:24:42 -0700

Joe Idoni
Looking back at the slope with the impact site after crossing the gully.

Found a piece of the insignia.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:05 -0700

Joe Idoni
Found a piece of the insignia.

Another piece with the insignia.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:06 -0700

Joe Idoni
Another piece with the insignia.

More electrical stuff.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:07 -0700

Joe Idoni
More electrical stuff.

Piece of leading edge flap.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:08 -0700

Joe Idoni
Piece of leading edge flap.

Finding more pieces of the engine. This is the number one bearing and inlet fan case.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:09 -0700

Joe Idoni
Finding more pieces of the engine. This is the number one bearing and inlet fan case.

This sheet metal from the engine is part of the augmentor.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:09 -0700

Joe Idoni
This sheet metal from the engine is part of the augmentor.

Looks like a main fuel control valve assemebly.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:10 -0700

Joe Idoni
Looks like a main fuel control valve assemebly.

Following the engine pieces down the slope to the gully.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:12 -0700

Joe Idoni
Following the engine pieces down the slope to the gully.

Another pylon fairing.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:14 -0700

Joe Idoni
Another pylon fairing.

Just below the fairing was the pylon.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:15 -0700

Joe Idoni
Just below the fairing was the pylon.

Side view of the pylon.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:16 -0700

Joe Idoni
Side view of the pylon.

Found this piece near the gully. Going to follow the gully back down to the truck from here.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:17 -0700

Joe Idoni
Found this piece near the gully. Going to follow the gully back down to the truck from here.

This is probably a piece of the 1st stage fan stator.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:13 -0700

Joe Idoni
This is probably a piece of the 1st stage fan stator.

In the gully came upon the first large piece of the Pratt & Whitney F100. Looks like the low pressure compressor section.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:18 -0700

Joe Idoni
In the gully came upon the first large piece of the Pratt & Whitney F100. Looks like the low pressure compressor section.

The blades are only smashed on one side, looks like the engine wasn't turning on impact.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:19 -0700

Joe Idoni
The blades are only smashed on one side, looks like the engine wasn't turning on impact.

Close up of the damage.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:20 -0700

Joe Idoni
Close up of the damage.

Blades on the other side are barely damaged.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:21 -0700

Joe Idoni
Blades on the other side are barely damaged.

A short way down the gully was the turbine and high pressure compressor sections. All the blades were sheared off, not one remained. Maybe the engine was turning??

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:22 -0700

Joe Idoni
A short way down the gully was the turbine and high pressure compressor sections. All the blades were sheared off, not one remained. Maybe the engine was turning??

View of the other side.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:23 -0700

Joe Idoni
View of the other side.

Looking up at the two engine pieces as I continue down the gully.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:34 -0700

Joe Idoni
Looking up at the two engine pieces as I continue down the gully.

Down below I could see the variable nozzle.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:24:43 -0700

Joe Idoni
Down below I could see the variable nozzle.

While hiking down to the nozzle came upon the smashed afterburner combustion chamber.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:40 -0700

Joe Idoni
While hiking down to the nozzle came upon the smashed afterburner combustion chamber.

Variable nozzle.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:41 -0700

Joe Idoni
Variable nozzle.

Close up of the nozzle.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:43 -0700

Joe Idoni
Close up of the nozzle.

Almost back to the truck. This was a nice site, lot of interesting stuff.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:44 -0700

Joe Idoni
Almost back to the truck. This was a nice site, lot of interesting stuff.

On the drive back to the highway.

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:24:38 -0700

Joe Idoni
On the drive back to the highway.

Caught up to this semi on I-15 south of Las Vegas carrying a Bradley. THE END

nobody@smugmug.com (Joe Idoni) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:14:46 -0700

Joe Idoni
Caught up to this semi on I-15 south of Las Vegas carrying a Bradley. THE END