Coso Range F-4Js #158364 and #158379 10/4/08

On 6/26/72 two McDonnell Douglas F-4Js, #158379 and #158364 USN from the Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VF-154), also known as the "Black Knights” collided over the Coso Range while on train ...

2009-08-22T10:05:19Z

Joe Idoni
On 6/26/72 two McDonnell Douglas F-4Js, #158379 and #158364 USN from the Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VF-154), also known as the "Black Knights” collided over the Coso Range while on train ...

Tom, Doug and Mike waiting for me by the side of the highway. The Coso Range is in the background. This trip is my forth time visiting these crash sites. This time Tom Gossett is going to ...

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Tom, Doug and Mike waiting for me by the side of the highway. The Coso Range is in the background. This trip is my forth time visiting these crash sites. This time Tom Gossett is going to ...

Joe(me), Doug, Mike and Tom. After driving in on dirt roads, we are ready for the hike.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Joe(me), Doug, Mike and Tom. After driving in on dirt roads, we are ready for the hike.

Starting off on the hike. First stop will be at the tail section of #158379.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Starting off on the hike. First stop will be at the tail section of #158379.

Just before reaching the site of the tail section we came upon a large bomb fragment. This is new, wasn't here a couple of years ago.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Just before reaching the site of the tail section we came upon a large bomb fragment. This is new, wasn't here a couple of years ago.

It was a MK-84 which is a 2000 pound bomb. Kind of strange that it's painted blue. I thought blue ment that it's inert. This one looks like it exploded.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
It was a MK-84 which is a 2000 pound bomb. Kind of strange that it's painted blue. I thought blue ment that it's inert. This one looks like it exploded.

Making our way up to the tail section.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Making our way up to the tail section.

The tail section from #158379. This I know for a fact because it written on the side. That was easy.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
The tail section from #158379. This I know for a fact because it written on the side. That was easy.

Another view of the tail.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the tail.

Doug and Mike checking out the tail.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Doug and Mike checking out the tail.

Continuing on, we are now looking for the wing section with the star on it. I looked for it before and wasn't able to find it. This time I was able to see it on Google Earth and was able to ...

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Continuing on, we are now looking for the wing section with the star on it. I looked for it before and wasn't able to find it. This time I was able to see it on Google Earth and was able to ...

Here it is. Tom knew where it was, but he let me have fun by letting me see if I could find it.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Here it is. Tom knew where it was, but he let me have fun by letting me see if I could find it.

It's a piece of a right wing tip. If I figured things out right, it's from #158379.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
It's a piece of a right wing tip. If I figured things out right, it's from #158379.

Hiking on to check out the wreckage of the burned out F-4.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Hiking on to check out the wreckage of the burned out F-4.

Tom approaching the crash site of what I believe is #158379.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Tom approaching the crash site of what I believe is #158379.

It's hard to tell, but there's a F-4 there.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
It's hard to tell, but there's a F-4 there.

Tom standing on one of the two General Electric J79-GE-10 engines that powered the F-4Js.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Tom standing on one of the two General Electric J79-GE-10 engines that powered the F-4Js.

Doug and Mike looking over the site.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
Doug and Mike looking over the site.

The F-4 landed on it's back. The right wing can be seen.

2008-10-11T02:50:49Z

Joe Idoni
The F-4 landed on it's back. The right wing can be seen.

This shot shows that the wing tip is broken off at the hinge for the folding wing. The piece with the star looks like it belongs to this wing.

2008-10-14T14:27:21Z

Joe Idoni
This shot shows that the wing tip is broken off at the hinge for the folding wing. The piece with the star looks like it belongs to this wing.

Better view of one of the engines.

2008-10-14T14:23:45Z

Joe Idoni
Better view of one of the engines.

This is the right wing with it's landing gear.

2008-10-14T14:23:45Z

Joe Idoni
This is the right wing with it's landing gear.

This is the remains of the left wing and it too has it's landing gear. This is important because the left wing that's on the slope across from the tail section has it's landing gear. For sur ...

2008-10-14T14:23:45Z

Joe Idoni
This is the remains of the left wing and it too has it's landing gear. This is important because the left wing that's on the slope across from the tail section has it's landing gear. For sur ...

An over view of the crash site. Now, I think most people would think that this plane is #158364 becuse the tail and wing are together and the tail is marked #158379 (remember landing gears). ...

2008-10-14T14:23:45Z

Joe Idoni
An over view of the crash site. Now, I think most people would think that this plane is #158364 becuse the tail and wing are together and the tail is marked #158379 (remember landing gears). ...

As we started hiking on, we found a piece of the nose gear up on the slope.

2008-10-14T14:23:45Z

Joe Idoni
As we started hiking on, we found a piece of the nose gear up on the slope.

Closer view of the piece from the nose gear. The wheel bearings are still on the axle.

2008-10-14T14:23:45Z

Joe Idoni
Closer view of the piece from the nose gear. The wheel bearings are still on the axle.

Tom is leading us to the crash site of a F-4 he found about ten years ago while he was searching for an A-7 site. That's when he first found the wreackage of the sites we just visited.

2008-10-14T14:23:45Z

Joe Idoni
Tom is leading us to the crash site of a F-4 he found about ten years ago while he was searching for an A-7 site. That's when he first found the wreackage of the sites we just visited.

Tom has good eyes, when I saw this it looked like a pile of old sticks to me. He saw it for what it is which is the remains of an old wagon wheel. The sticks are the spokes, one has a sectio ...

2008-10-14T14:23:45Z

Joe Idoni
Tom has good eyes, when I saw this it looked like a pile of old sticks to me. He saw it for what it is which is the remains of an old wagon wheel. The sticks are the spokes, one has a sectio ...

Tom hasn't been to this site since he first found it. I was wondering if he could find it again.

2008-10-14T14:23:45Z

Joe Idoni
Tom hasn't been to this site since he first found it. I was wondering if he could find it again.

Tom was up ahead out of sight when Doug, Mike and myself came up on the first piece of wreckage. We are close!!! I been wanting to see this site ever since Tom told me about it a couple of y ...

2008-10-14T14:23:45Z

Joe Idoni
Tom was up ahead out of sight when Doug, Mike and myself came up on the first piece of wreckage. We are close!!! I been wanting to see this site ever since Tom told me about it a couple of y ...

As we came round a bend in the canyon, we saw him sitting on the wing, we are here!!!

2008-10-14T14:23:45Z

Joe Idoni
As we came round a bend in the canyon, we saw him sitting on the wing, we are here!!!

We took a short break and Tom broke out the cookies his wife makes for him for when he goes out on hikes. He usually has them when hiking to peaks so they became known in our hiking group as ...

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
We took a short break and Tom broke out the cookies his wife makes for him for when he goes out on hikes. He usually has them when hiking to peaks so they became known in our hiking group as ...

I believe the left wing back by the tail that has the main gear belongs to this F-4. This is the right wing so that's a good start. Been thinking about what to look for to figure out if t ...

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
I believe the left wing back by the tail that has the main gear belongs to this F-4. This is the right wing so that's a good start. Been thinking about what to look for to figure out if t ...

This being the right wing is why I think the wing section with the star belongs to #158379. The star was on the right wing tip and this F-4 still has it's right tip.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
This being the right wing is why I think the wing section with the star belongs to #158379. The star was on the right wing tip and this F-4 still has it's right tip.

Close up of the wing tip.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of the wing tip.

This wing section is broken off at the ailerron/flap joint.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
This wing section is broken off at the ailerron/flap joint.

Being broken off at that point means the main gear is gone. That's okay, just have to make sure that I only find parts from one gear.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Being broken off at that point means the main gear is gone. That's okay, just have to make sure that I only find parts from one gear.

These three holes are part of the ducting for the leading edge boundary-layer control. The F-4s had handling problems.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
These three holes are part of the ducting for the leading edge boundary-layer control. The F-4s had handling problems.

Actuator and linkage.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Actuator and linkage.

Better look at the actuator.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Better look at the actuator.

Another thing to look for was a tag that marked the wreckage as coming from a F-4J, or if we got really lucky, a tag with the plane's serial number. This tag on the wing was marked with just ...

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Another thing to look for was a tag that marked the wreckage as coming from a F-4J, or if we got really lucky, a tag with the plane's serial number. This tag on the wing was marked with just ...

Me with the wing section. The wreckage of this plane was scattered up the slope, looks like there's a lot of stuff here.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Me with the wing section. The wreckage of this plane was scattered up the slope, looks like there's a lot of stuff here.

This is part of the inboard wing section with a piece of the flap attached.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
This is part of the inboard wing section with a piece of the flap attached.

No langing gear here.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
No langing gear here.

The honeycomb stucture from inside the flap.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
The honeycomb stucture from inside the flap.

A piece from one of the engines.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
A piece from one of the engines.

This thing is really pancaked.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
This thing is really pancaked.

A piece from the fuselage with part of the insignia.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
A piece from the fuselage with part of the insignia.

Another piece of an engine.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Another piece of an engine.

One of the flight instruments. It's a rate of climb indicator.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
One of the flight instruments. It's a rate of climb indicator.

Another engine part. Pieces from the two engines were scattered all over the slope.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Another engine part. Pieces from the two engines were scattered all over the slope.

Looks like a part from the front end of an engine.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Looks like a part from the front end of an engine.

More engine parts.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
More engine parts.

This is what I been looking for. It's a piece from one of the main gears.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
This is what I been looking for. It's a piece from one of the main gears.

In the brushes nearby found another piece from the main gear. This looks like it's the upper part of the other main gear piece. So far, so good.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
In the brushes nearby found another piece from the main gear. This looks like it's the upper part of the other main gear piece. So far, so good.

Maybe a check valve???

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Maybe a check valve???

Landing gear door from the mains. Only found one of these.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Landing gear door from the mains. Only found one of these.

Tag on the gear door, marked F-4. Still hoping to find one that read F-4J. We were finding a lot of tags, the joke became, "hey I think it's a F-4".

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Tag on the gear door, marked F-4. Still hoping to find one that read F-4J. We were finding a lot of tags, the joke became, "hey I think it's a F-4".

Control cable pulley.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Control cable pulley.

Fiberglass fairing.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Fiberglass fairing.

This was a good sign. It's a piece of the titanium section that's behind the engine nozzles.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
This was a good sign. It's a piece of the titanium section that's behind the engine nozzles.

Another view of the same piece. The tail section marked with the S/N 158379 has this piece on it.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the same piece. The tail section marked with the S/N 158379 has this piece on it.

Another titanium piece.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Another titanium piece.

Another view of the same piece shows that it's the tail cone that holds the braking chute. No way is this wreckage from #15879. Things are looking good for this turning out to be #158364.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the same piece shows that it's the tail cone that holds the braking chute. No way is this wreckage from #15879. Things are looking good for this turning out to be #158364.

This was another good find. This piece is the bottom end of the rudder. You can see in the insert photo the black that's on this rudder piece matches the color from the VF-154 "Black Knights ...

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
This was another good find. This piece is the bottom end of the rudder. You can see in the insert photo the black that's on this rudder piece matches the color from the VF-154 "Black Knights ...

Another piece from one of the engines.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Another piece from one of the engines.

Looks like the F-4 went in at a steep angle. I been thinking of how a plane would fly with one wing totally gone. What I see is it flying in a knife edge flight with the remaining wing u ...

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Looks like the F-4 went in at a steep angle. I been thinking of how a plane would fly with one wing totally gone. What I see is it flying in a knife edge flight with the remaining wing u ...

Another view.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Another view.

And another.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
And another.

Close up of the blades.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of the blades.

Looking down the slope, the wing was at the bottom. There's wreckage scattered all the way down.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
Looking down the slope, the wing was at the bottom. There's wreckage scattered all the way down.

More engine parts.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
More engine parts.

These blades were a blue/green color.

2008-10-14T14:23:30Z

Joe Idoni
These blades were a blue/green color.

The guys checking out the impact crater near the top of the slope. The little tree is growing in the center.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
The guys checking out the impact crater near the top of the slope. The little tree is growing in the center.

Lot of small pieces of wreckage around the crater.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Lot of small pieces of wreckage around the crater.

Another good find, a MK-76 practice bomb. Found one of these at the left wing on the slope near the tail section. Found five of these at this site.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Another good find, a MK-76 practice bomb. Found one of these at the left wing on the slope near the tail section. Found five of these at this site.

Mike checking another tag, it's a F-4.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Mike checking another tag, it's a F-4.

Another view of the crater.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the crater.

Yes, more engine parts.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Yes, more engine parts.

Close look at one of the pieces.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Close look at one of the pieces.

And the other piece. From up here I could see an area of wreckage down below that I missed on the way up. Have to check it out to make sure the other main gear isn't there.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
And the other piece. From up here I could see an area of wreckage down below that I missed on the way up. Have to check it out to make sure the other main gear isn't there.

Going down found a bomb rack.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Going down found a bomb rack.

A part of the nose gear.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
A part of the nose gear.

Another part of the nose gear.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Another part of the nose gear.

One of the nose gear tires.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
One of the nose gear tires.

Electrical gear with a lot of wires.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Electrical gear with a lot of wires.

Found this access panel at the bottom of the canyon.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Found this access panel at the bottom of the canyon.

Wiring harness and connectors.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Wiring harness and connectors.

Circuit board.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Circuit board.

One of the afterburner combustion chambers. This is about a hundred yards from the impact crater.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
One of the afterburner combustion chambers. This is about a hundred yards from the impact crater.

Close up of some of the plumbing and linkage.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of some of the plumbing and linkage.

About half way back up the slope found Mike under a tree checking out a bomb rack that he found.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
About half way back up the slope found Mike under a tree checking out a bomb rack that he found.

Lot of wire.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Lot of wire.

This wiring harness is about ten feet long.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
This wiring harness is about ten feet long.

One of the many mechanical parts scattered over the site.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
One of the many mechanical parts scattered over the site.

Tom came up with the idea of taking a different route back to see if we come across anything on the way.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Tom came up with the idea of taking a different route back to see if we come across anything on the way.

Just over the hill has this wiring harness hanging in a tree.

2008-10-14T14:23:17Z

Joe Idoni
Just over the hill has this wiring harness hanging in a tree.

A small heat exchanger.

2008-10-14T14:23:02Z

Joe Idoni
A small heat exchanger.

Heading back to the wing that's across the canyon from the tail section. We did find parts from the tail so there is no way that the F-4 was #158379. Only found one main gear and no trace ...

2008-12-21T00:26:07Z

Joe Idoni
Heading back to the wing that's across the canyon from the tail section. We did find parts from the tail so there is no way that the F-4 was #158379. Only found one main gear and no trace ...

Up on the mesa nearing the site of the left wing.

2008-10-14T14:23:02Z

Joe Idoni
Up on the mesa nearing the site of the left wing.