Anza-Borrego A-4 Skyhawk 1/30/09

On 4/17/68 the A-4A Skyhawk BUNo 137828 from the Reserve Attack Squadron 776, flying out of the Los Alamitos Naval Air Station crashed in Anza-Borrego after it’s engine failed. The pilot, ...

2009-08-22T10:01:52Z

Joe Idoni
On 4/17/68 the A-4A Skyhawk BUNo 137828 from the Reserve Attack Squadron 776, flying out of the Los Alamitos Naval Air Station crashed in Anza-Borrego after it’s engine failed. The pilot, ...

After hiking up and over the ridge, I got my first view of the crash site which is in the center of the photo. At this point I no idea of what type of aircraft is at the site, but I was gues ...

2009-02-06T04:01:15Z

Joe Idoni
After hiking up and over the ridge, I got my first view of the crash site which is in the center of the photo. At this point I no idea of what type of aircraft is at the site, but I was gues ...

The first piece of wreckage I came upon.

2009-02-05T14:07:37Z

Joe Idoni
The first piece of wreckage I came upon.

Taking a look at the piece, I could see two sets of the letters on it, JE and NTAKE. Must have said "JET INTAKE".

2009-02-07T10:13:03Z

Joe Idoni
Taking a look at the piece, I could see two sets of the letters on it, JE and NTAKE. Must have said "JET INTAKE".

Another piece in a bush close by.

2009-02-05T21:51:12Z

Joe Idoni
Another piece in a bush close by.

First sign that it is a military aircraft.

2009-02-05T14:50:27Z

Joe Idoni
First sign that it is a military aircraft.

It was a Navy plane.

2009-02-05T21:52:12Z

Joe Idoni
It was a Navy plane.

When I found this, thought that it was a piece of the landing gear. I was still thinking of it being a small plane.

2009-02-06T02:00:28Z

Joe Idoni
When I found this, thought that it was a piece of the landing gear. I was still thinking of it being a small plane.

At the impact site.

2009-02-06T04:02:42Z

Joe Idoni
At the impact site.

There is a lot wreckage remaining. Still have no idea of what type of aircraft it is.

2009-02-06T04:04:38Z

Joe Idoni
There is a lot wreckage remaining. Still have no idea of what type of aircraft it is.

The impact crater was just above the wreckage.

2009-02-06T02:02:21Z

Joe Idoni
The impact crater was just above the wreckage.

Looking down from the impact crater.

2009-02-06T04:05:23Z

Joe Idoni
Looking down from the impact crater.

Soon as I saw the horizontal stabilizer I could tell that this was a A-4 Skyhawk. This is the bottom side of the stab.

2009-02-06T08:17:16Z

Joe Idoni
Soon as I saw the horizontal stabilizer I could tell that this was a A-4 Skyhawk. This is the bottom side of the stab.

Another view of the stab, it was in fairly good shape.

2009-02-06T08:18:00Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the stab, it was in fairly good shape.

Control linkage and hydraulics.

2009-02-06T07:46:05Z

Joe Idoni
Control linkage and hydraulics.

This angle clearly shows the elevator actuator and control horn.

2009-02-06T07:46:05Z

Joe Idoni
This angle clearly shows the elevator actuator and control horn.

Next to the stab was the tail end of the fuselage.

2009-02-06T07:46:05Z

Joe Idoni
Next to the stab was the tail end of the fuselage.

The piece was crushed from the impact.

2009-02-06T07:46:05Z

Joe Idoni
The piece was crushed from the impact.

Closer view. Part of the fin remained attached.

2009-03-21T10:17:26Z

Joe Idoni
Closer view. Part of the fin remained attached.

View from the rear.

2009-03-21T10:19:13Z

Joe Idoni
View from the rear.

View of the top.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
View of the top.

This piece had an antenna on it.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
This piece had an antenna on it.

It also had this warning label with the drawing of an A-4 Skyhawk on it.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
It also had this warning label with the drawing of an A-4 Skyhawk on it.

Think that this is a piece of the fuselage with a part from the nose gear.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
Think that this is a piece of the fuselage with a part from the nose gear.

No idea what this is.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
No idea what this is.

Looking down at the impact crater as I follow the wreckage up the slope.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
Looking down at the impact crater as I follow the wreckage up the slope.

I think this piece might be a fuselage bulkhead with the fin mount.

2009-05-15T00:52:25Z

Joe Idoni
I think this piece might be a fuselage bulkhead with the fin mount.

Further up was the rudder. This rudder has a skin on it, all the photos I seen of A-4s had rudders with exposed ribs. This must be an A4D-1 that were redesignated in 1962 to A-4A.

2009-08-22T13:33:10Z

Joe Idoni
Further up was the rudder. This rudder has a skin on it, all the photos I seen of A-4s had rudders with exposed ribs. This must be an A4D-1 that were redesignated in 1962 to A-4A.

Other side of the rudder.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
Other side of the rudder.

This side of the rudder had what looked like part of the letter A on it.

2009-05-15T00:53:50Z

Joe Idoni
This side of the rudder had what looked like part of the letter A on it.

A piece from one of the flaps.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
A piece from one of the flaps.

Pulley and cable.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
Pulley and cable.

Found this piece with the letters N and M. I've seen photos of A-4s marked NAVY/MARINE, think that's what this is.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
Found this piece with the letters N and M. I've seen photos of A-4s marked NAVY/MARINE, think that's what this is.

The fin.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
The fin.

Another view of the fin. I picked it up and took a quick look at the other side. I could barely make out some markings. Looking back, I should have taken the time to get a photo of it.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the fin. I picked it up and took a quick look at the other side. I could barely make out some markings. Looking back, I should have taken the time to get a photo of it.

Engine blade. One of the things missing at this crash site was the engine. I only found a few traces of it. Also, there was no sign of the cockpit section.

2009-03-21T10:19:27Z

Joe Idoni
Engine blade. One of the things missing at this crash site was the engine. I only found a few traces of it. Also, there was no sign of the cockpit section.

This is a shot of the impact crater and wreckage around it. Just over the small ridge on the right was another group of wreckage.

2009-03-21T10:21:30Z

Joe Idoni
This is a shot of the impact crater and wreckage around it. Just over the small ridge on the right was another group of wreckage.

View of the other group of wreckage. Looks like pieces of the wings.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
View of the other group of wreckage. Looks like pieces of the wings.

Large section from one of the wings.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Large section from one of the wings.

The skin is missing on this side showing it's struture.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
The skin is missing on this side showing it's struture.

The star can barely be seen on this side.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
The star can barely be seen on this side.

Another piece of the wing.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Another piece of the wing.

Below the wing sections were what looked like pieces of the fuselage.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Below the wing sections were what looked like pieces of the fuselage.

Wasn't sure what this was.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Wasn't sure what this was.

When I took a closer look I could tell that it was one of the airbrakes. The actuator was still attached.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
When I took a closer look I could tell that it was one of the airbrakes. The actuator was still attached.

On the other side of the airbrake there was lettering that looked like MA, think it's part of the word MARINE.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
On the other side of the airbrake there was lettering that looked like MA, think it's part of the word MARINE.

This is the top section of the fuselage where the front and rear sections join up.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
This is the top section of the fuselage where the front and rear sections join up.

Front section of the fin.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Front section of the fin.

Remains of a navigation light.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Remains of a navigation light.

One of the bolts that attach the tail end of the fuselage to the forward section.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
One of the bolts that attach the tail end of the fuselage to the forward section.

Lower down was another large wing section.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Lower down was another large wing section.

The star was clearer on this section.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
The star was clearer on this section.

Looking up from below.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Looking up from below.

Think this DANGER sign was on one of the intakes.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Think this DANGER sign was on one of the intakes.

Piece of fuselage with part of the US insignia.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Piece of fuselage with part of the US insignia.

Back at the main debris area. Came back to see what I missed. The sun has already set, but still have some time before it gets to dark for photos.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Back at the main debris area. Came back to see what I missed. The sun has already set, but still have some time before it gets to dark for photos.

One of the ailerons.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
One of the ailerons.

Think this is the nose wheel.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Think this is the nose wheel.

The other airbrake.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
The other airbrake.

The upper section of one of the main landing gears with part of the wing struture still attached.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
The upper section of one of the main landing gears with part of the wing struture still attached.

Lower section of the main gear.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Lower section of the main gear.

Upper section of the other main gear.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Upper section of the other main gear.

The other lower section of main gear.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
The other lower section of main gear.

And the nose gear.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
And the nose gear.

Two flaps and an aileron between them.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Two flaps and an aileron between them.

This flap showed some fire damage.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
This flap showed some fire damage.

Another flap. Finding a third flap confused me till I remembered that the A-4s had split flaps. I think the upper ones open to use as spoilers/airbrakes.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Another flap. Finding a third flap confused me till I remembered that the A-4s had split flaps. I think the upper ones open to use as spoilers/airbrakes.

Me with the stab. I would have liked to spend a lot more time at the site, but the sun set over half an hour ago and it will be getting dark soon.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Me with the stab. I would have liked to spend a lot more time at the site, but the sun set over half an hour ago and it will be getting dark soon.

Hiking back to the truck making sure to avoid the cholla cactus. Anyone who has bumped into one of these knows what I'm talking about.

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Hiking back to the truck making sure to avoid the cholla cactus. Anyone who has bumped into one of these knows what I'm talking about.

Back at the truck, it's been a long day. I'll spend the night here and tomorrow morning drive to Ocotillo where I'm meeting a friend for a hike to the wind caves. This turned out to be a gre ...

2009-03-21T10:21:45Z

Joe Idoni
Back at the truck, it's been a long day. I'll spend the night here and tomorrow morning drive to Ocotillo where I'm meeting a friend for a hike to the wind caves. This turned out to be a gre ...