San Bernardino Desert A4D Skyhawk 6/13/09

This A4D Skyhawk crashed on a lava flow in the San Bernardino Derest in southern California. At this time I don't have a serial number or crash date for this aircraft, but believe that it wa ...

2009-08-22T09:43:54Z

Joe Idoni
This A4D Skyhawk crashed on a lava flow in the San Bernardino Derest in southern California. At this time I don't have a serial number or crash date for this aircraft, but believe that it wa ...

Starting off across the lava flow towards the Skyhawk's crash site.

2009-06-18T12:32:55Z

Joe Idoni
Starting off across the lava flow towards the Skyhawk's crash site.

My first view of the crash site.

2009-06-18T11:10:59Z

Joe Idoni
My first view of the crash site.

There was a good size impact crater with a lot of wreckage.

2009-06-18T11:12:02Z

Joe Idoni
There was a good size impact crater with a lot of wreckage.

Looking down into one side of the impact crater.

2009-06-18T11:12:47Z

Joe Idoni
Looking down into one side of the impact crater.

View of the other side.

2009-06-18T11:13:31Z

Joe Idoni
View of the other side.

The first thing I noticed in the crater was one of the landing gears.

2009-06-18T11:15:29Z

Joe Idoni
The first thing I noticed in the crater was one of the landing gears.

Closer view of the landing gear.

2009-06-18T11:14:31Z

Joe Idoni
Closer view of the landing gear.

Other side of the gear, it's one of the mains.

2009-06-18T11:15:14Z

Joe Idoni
Other side of the gear, it's one of the mains.

Landing gear's actuator.

2009-06-18T11:17:02Z

Joe Idoni
Landing gear's actuator.

This part is from the nose gear as is the other rusted part in the bottom of the photo.

2009-06-19T09:06:05Z

Joe Idoni
This part is from the nose gear as is the other rusted part in the bottom of the photo.

This piece has a scoop on it.

2009-06-18T11:19:11Z

Joe Idoni
This piece has a scoop on it.

Nose wheel with the remains of the tire on it.

2009-06-18T11:20:57Z

Joe Idoni
Nose wheel with the remains of the tire on it.

Close up of the wheel shows manufacturing date of a date "5-66". It could be a newer wheel on an older plane.

2009-06-20T05:32:48Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of the wheel shows manufacturing date of a date "5-66". It could be a newer wheel on an older plane.

Think that this is part of an electrical equipment rack.

2009-06-18T12:35:05Z

Joe Idoni
Think that this is part of an electrical equipment rack.

It had a row of labels on it, RUDER FILTER, POWER SUPPY, SURFACE CONT AMPL, etc....

2009-06-18T12:39:16Z

Joe Idoni
It had a row of labels on it, RUDER FILTER, POWER SUPPY, SURFACE CONT AMPL, etc....

20mm shell casing.

2009-06-17T15:12:51Z

Joe Idoni
20mm shell casing.

A piece of the ammo feed chute.

2009-06-17T15:12:51Z

Joe Idoni
A piece of the ammo feed chute.

One of the links from the ammo belt. Skyhawks were armed with two MK-12 20mm cannons mounted in the wing roots.

2009-06-19T09:25:36Z

Joe Idoni
One of the links from the ammo belt. Skyhawks were armed with two MK-12 20mm cannons mounted in the wing roots.

Looks like a fairing with an antenna mount.

2009-06-17T15:12:51Z

Joe Idoni
Looks like a fairing with an antenna mount.

Same piece turned over showing the coaxial connector.

2009-06-17T15:12:51Z

Joe Idoni
Same piece turned over showing the coaxial connector.

Engine blade.

2009-06-17T15:12:51Z

Joe Idoni
Engine blade.

Another part from the landing gear.

2009-06-19T09:53:40Z

Joe Idoni
Another part from the landing gear.

No idea what this is.

2009-06-18T12:40:39Z

Joe Idoni
No idea what this is.

A piece of the other main landing gear.

2009-06-18T12:41:14Z

Joe Idoni
A piece of the other main landing gear.

View from the other side.

2009-06-18T12:41:38Z

Joe Idoni
View from the other side.

When I first found this I could tell it was a control surface counter balance by it's weight, but didn't know from which surface. Later figured out it was from one of the ailerons.

2009-06-17T15:12:51Z

Joe Idoni
When I first found this I could tell it was a control surface counter balance by it's weight, but didn't know from which surface. Later figured out it was from one of the ailerons.

Piece from one of the drop tanks.

2009-06-20T01:51:59Z

Joe Idoni
Piece from one of the drop tanks.

Close up of the broken mounting lug.

2009-06-18T12:43:46Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of the broken mounting lug.

This bracket had a spring suspension.

2009-06-18T12:44:50Z

Joe Idoni
This bracket had a spring suspension.

Marking on the bracket .

2009-06-19T01:29:09Z

Joe Idoni
Marking on the bracket .

Looks like a part from the engine.

2009-06-19T01:29:41Z

Joe Idoni
Looks like a part from the engine.

Smashed heat exchanger.

2009-06-17T15:12:51Z

Joe Idoni
Smashed heat exchanger.

Didn't know what this was.

2009-06-17T15:12:51Z

Joe Idoni
Didn't know what this was.

Close by found a piece of another one with a name plate. Looks like it was a Navy aircraft.

2009-06-19T09:47:34Z

Joe Idoni
Close by found a piece of another one with a name plate. Looks like it was a Navy aircraft.

Piece with a latch on it.

2009-06-19T01:30:42Z

Joe Idoni
Piece with a latch on it.

This piece caught my eye.

2009-06-17T15:12:51Z

Joe Idoni
This piece caught my eye.

Taking a closer look, I saw the number 710 LH writen on it with pencil. It was under the paint which chipped off in the crash. It must have been put on during the aircraft's assembly. Thinki ...

2009-06-19T10:02:57Z

Joe Idoni
Taking a closer look, I saw the number 710 LH writen on it with pencil. It was under the paint which chipped off in the crash. It must have been put on during the aircraft's assembly. Thinki ...

Another part from the engine.

2009-06-19T01:31:06Z

Joe Idoni
Another part from the engine.

This looks like it was a filter, it's filtering element is missing.

2009-06-18T12:49:31Z

Joe Idoni
This looks like it was a filter, it's filtering element is missing.

In this shot the impact crater is on the right with the start of the debris field on the left. It's hard to see, but that bent piece of tubing near the center is the refueling probe. For som ...

2009-06-19T10:05:43Z

Joe Idoni
In this shot the impact crater is on the right with the start of the debris field on the left. It's hard to see, but that bent piece of tubing near the center is the refueling probe. For som ...

Just outside the crater was this piece from the fuselage that is from where the front and rear sections connect. The mount for the navigation light indicates that it's from the top of the fu ...

2009-06-18T12:59:56Z

Joe Idoni
Just outside the crater was this piece from the fuselage that is from where the front and rear sections connect. The mount for the navigation light indicates that it's from the top of the fu ...

Other side of the same piece showing an attachment point.

2009-06-19T04:20:11Z

Joe Idoni
Other side of the same piece showing an attachment point.

Another 20mm shell casing.

2009-06-17T15:12:52Z

Joe Idoni
Another 20mm shell casing.

This piece must be part of the control system. There is a small actutor, pulleys and cable on it.

2009-06-18T13:03:10Z

Joe Idoni
This piece must be part of the control system. There is a small actutor, pulleys and cable on it.

Braided flex hoses.

2009-06-18T13:04:17Z

Joe Idoni
Braided flex hoses.

This bulkhead has tubing passed through one hole and control cables through the other.

2009-06-18T13:07:57Z

Joe Idoni
This bulkhead has tubing passed through one hole and control cables through the other.

Electrical part.

2009-06-19T01:33:35Z

Joe Idoni
Electrical part.

Think that this piece is from the drop tank pylon.

2009-06-19T03:42:27Z

Joe Idoni
Think that this piece is from the drop tank pylon.

Looking back towards the crater. Just off to the right is a pile of large pieces of wreckage. Decided to save them for last and continue checking out the debris field.

2009-06-18T13:15:24Z

Joe Idoni
Looking back towards the crater. Just off to the right is a pile of large pieces of wreckage. Decided to save them for last and continue checking out the debris field.

Presure bottle. Looks like it was painted orange.

2009-06-18T13:21:10Z

Joe Idoni
Presure bottle. Looks like it was painted orange.

Piece of fiberglass, the black paint makes me think that it might be part of the nose cone.

2009-06-19T03:46:23Z

Joe Idoni
Piece of fiberglass, the black paint makes me think that it might be part of the nose cone.

This piece has a latch and part of a number or letter on it.

2009-06-19T03:47:25Z

Joe Idoni
This piece has a latch and part of a number or letter on it.

Other side of the same piece.

2009-06-18T15:25:34Z

Joe Idoni
Other side of the same piece.

Part of the insignia.

2009-06-19T03:48:17Z

Joe Idoni
Part of the insignia.

There was some small pieces from the engine scattered in this area, about a hundred feet from the crater.

2009-06-18T13:23:03Z

Joe Idoni
There was some small pieces from the engine scattered in this area, about a hundred feet from the crater.

Engine blades. Only found pieces from the engine. Looks like it was one of the few things recovered after the accident.

2009-06-18T13:24:05Z

Joe Idoni
Engine blades. Only found pieces from the engine. Looks like it was one of the few things recovered after the accident.

Piece from the wing. There was a lot of pieces from the wings scattered over the area.

2009-06-20T01:59:40Z

Joe Idoni
Piece from the wing. There was a lot of pieces from the wings scattered over the area.

Piece from the fuselage with yellow paint.

2009-06-19T03:50:36Z

Joe Idoni
Piece from the fuselage with yellow paint.

Other side of the same piece showing it's structure.

2009-06-17T15:12:52Z

Joe Idoni
Other side of the same piece showing it's structure.

Tank and other pieces.

2009-06-19T01:35:50Z

Joe Idoni
Tank and other pieces.

Closer look at the tank, thinking that it might be an oil tank.

2009-06-19T01:35:14Z

Joe Idoni
Closer look at the tank, thinking that it might be an oil tank.

Pieces next to the tank. This is as far from the crater that I looked. On the way back I took a different path to see what else I could find.

2009-06-19T10:12:12Z

Joe Idoni
Pieces next to the tank. This is as far from the crater that I looked. On the way back I took a different path to see what else I could find.

Looks like something from the instrument panel. The little wheels at the bottom have numbers on them.

2009-06-19T04:03:50Z

Joe Idoni
Looks like something from the instrument panel. The little wheels at the bottom have numbers on them.

This bolt is still safety wired.

2009-06-19T04:06:21Z

Joe Idoni
This bolt is still safety wired.

Piece from the fuselage with a wiring harness.

2009-06-18T11:36:46Z

Joe Idoni
Piece from the fuselage with a wiring harness.

Piece from the wing.

2009-06-19T01:39:48Z

Joe Idoni
Piece from the wing.

Other side of the wing skin.

2009-06-17T15:12:52Z

Joe Idoni
Other side of the wing skin.

Another piece from the fuselage where the front and rear sections join up.

2009-06-19T04:15:14Z

Joe Idoni
Another piece from the fuselage where the front and rear sections join up.

The other side showing two of the attachment points.

2009-06-19T04:19:22Z

Joe Idoni
The other side showing two of the attachment points.

Another piece with yellow paint. I was hoping that I would find something to ID the plane, the yellow marking may help.

2009-06-19T10:15:13Z

Joe Idoni
Another piece with yellow paint. I was hoping that I would find something to ID the plane, the yellow marking may help.

This piece looks like a yoke, but no idea where it would be used.

2009-06-19T10:16:08Z

Joe Idoni
This piece looks like a yoke, but no idea where it would be used.

Piece of one of the flaps.

2009-06-19T10:18:35Z

Joe Idoni
Piece of one of the flaps.

Half of the fuselage bulkhead with the fin mount.

2009-06-19T10:19:17Z

Joe Idoni
Half of the fuselage bulkhead with the fin mount.

Wreckage in a lava hole.

2009-06-19T10:19:57Z

Joe Idoni
Wreckage in a lava hole.

Close up of one of the pieces in the hole.

2009-06-19T10:20:38Z

Joe Idoni
Close up of one of the pieces in the hole.

Interesting looking part, no idea what it's from.

2009-06-19T10:17:49Z

Joe Idoni
Interesting looking part, no idea what it's from.

Smashed piece of electrical equipment.

2009-06-19T10:17:49Z

Joe Idoni
Smashed piece of electrical equipment.

Back to the pile with the large pieces. Looks like they were gathered up and placed here.

2009-06-19T10:21:56Z

Joe Idoni
Back to the pile with the large pieces. Looks like they were gathered up and placed here.

Piece from one of the main gears with an axle on it.

2009-06-19T10:17:49Z

Joe Idoni
Piece from one of the main gears with an axle on it.

The Skyhawk's arresting hook.

2009-06-19T10:24:03Z

Joe Idoni
The Skyhawk's arresting hook.

Arresting hook mount, the actuator was broken off.

2009-06-19T10:24:18Z

Joe Idoni
Arresting hook mount, the actuator was broken off.

No idea what this is, looks like some type of container.

2009-06-20T02:06:08Z

Joe Idoni
No idea what this is, looks like some type of container.

Another view.

2009-06-19T10:24:47Z

Joe Idoni
Another view.

Another flap, this one is in one piece, but bent.

2009-06-19T10:26:19Z

Joe Idoni
Another flap, this one is in one piece, but bent.

Had a number on it. Seen a few photos of Skyhawks with numbers on the inside of the lower flap that are only visible when the flap is down. The numbers match the nose numbers of the aircraft ...

2009-06-19T10:30:41Z

Joe Idoni
Had a number on it. Seen a few photos of Skyhawks with numbers on the inside of the lower flap that are only visible when the flap is down. The numbers match the nose numbers of the aircraft ...

The horizontal stabilizer. This is looking at the bottom side.

2009-06-19T10:32:51Z

Joe Idoni
The horizontal stabilizer. This is looking at the bottom side.

The left elevator counter balance was broken off.

2009-06-19T10:37:39Z

Joe Idoni
The left elevator counter balance was broken off.

Another view of the stab and the other wreckage in the pile.

2009-06-19T10:38:37Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the stab and the other wreckage in the pile.

Linkage for the elevators.

2009-06-19T10:17:49Z

Joe Idoni
Linkage for the elevators.

Closer view of the actuator and linkage.

2009-06-19T10:17:49Z

Joe Idoni
Closer view of the actuator and linkage.

Another view of the stab.

2009-06-19T10:41:56Z

Joe Idoni
Another view of the stab.

This section of the stab's leading edge was all that remained of it.

2009-06-19T10:42:11Z

Joe Idoni
This section of the stab's leading edge was all that remained of it.

The other aileron counter balance.

2009-06-19T10:17:49Z

Joe Idoni
The other aileron counter balance.

And the outer section of one of the ailerons with it's counter balance missing.

2009-06-19T10:17:49Z

Joe Idoni
And the outer section of one of the ailerons with it's counter balance missing.

The top half of the rudder. When I got home a tried to match up markings on the rudder with photos I have of Skyhawks with no luck. I also spent a lot of time online trying the match up the ...

2009-06-23T10:45:59Z

Joe Idoni
The top half of the rudder. When I got home a tried to match up markings on the rudder with photos I have of Skyhawks with no luck. I also spent a lot of time online trying the match up the ...

Closer view showing the construction of the rudder.

2009-06-19T10:46:45Z

Joe Idoni
Closer view showing the construction of the rudder.

The remains of two drop tanks.

2009-06-19T10:17:49Z

Joe Idoni
The remains of two drop tanks.

This one had a lot of bullet holes in it. The good thing was that it was the only piece of wreckage at the site that was shot at.

2009-06-19T10:17:49Z

Joe Idoni
This one had a lot of bullet holes in it. The good thing was that it was the only piece of wreckage at the site that was shot at.

A look inside of the fuel tank with the bullet holes.

2009-06-19T10:47:42Z

Joe Idoni
A look inside of the fuel tank with the bullet holes.