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Joe Idoni

Photo Hiking Journal


  1. Aircraft Crash Sites

F-4D Phantom #65-0656 10/13/15

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  • On 4/20/67, four F-4D Phantoms call signs Blondie 1, 2, 3 and 4 were on a Ground Attack Practice flight which consisted of simulated armed reconnaissance with a simulated attack on a stationary target. During the flight, Blondie 3 (#65-0656) made a simulated attack on a truck in an open area north of a mountain peak. Blondie 3 was observed in an approximate 45 degree dive in his attack. While in the drive recovery, the aircraft was seen making two complete rolls to the right and impacting the side of a mountain. Killed in the accident were the pilot 1Lt Donald H. Wolber and aircraft commander 1Lt Douglas B. Rose from the 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron, George AFB.

    On 4/20/67, four F-4D Phantoms call signs Blondie 1, 2, 3 and 4 were on a Ground Attack Practice flight which consisted of simulated armed reconnaissance with a simulated attack on a stationary target. During the flight, Blondie 3 (#65-0656) made a simulated attack on a truck in an open area north of a mountain peak. Blondie 3 was observed in an approximate 45 degree dive in his attack. While in the drive recovery, the aircraft was seen making two complete rolls to the right and impacting the side of a mountain. Killed in the accident were the pilot 1Lt Donald H. Wolber and aircraft commander 1Lt Douglas B. Rose from the 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron, George AFB.

  • On the drive to the start of the hike. We approached from the east which required a long drive on dirt roads.

    On the drive to the start of the hike. We approached from the east which required a long drive on dirt roads.

  • We came upon a eroded cattle grate that caused a problem for the low clearance vehicle. Craig is making a ramp for it to pass.

    We came upon a eroded cattle grate that caused a problem for the low clearance vehicle. Craig is making a ramp for it to pass.

  • On the hike to the crash site.

    On the hike to the crash site.

  • First piece of wreckage, we're heading in the right direction.

    First piece of wreckage, we're heading in the right direction.

  • A little farther up, Ralph and Ken found more.

    A little farther up, Ralph and Ken found more.

  • It's one of the forward, inboard sections of the horizontal stabilizer and a part from the 20mm ammo magazine.

    It's one of the forward, inboard sections of the horizontal stabilizer and a part from the 20mm ammo magazine.

  • We were finding more parts as we continued climbing higher. I think this part connects two fuel cells.

    We were finding more parts as we continued climbing higher. I think this part connects two fuel cells.

  • The turbine discs from one of the two General Electric J79s that powered the F-4D.

    The turbine discs from one of the two General Electric J79s that powered the F-4D.

  • Close up of the damage to the turbine blades.

    Close up of the damage to the turbine blades.

  • Nearby was the combustion chamber section of one of the engines.

    Nearby was the combustion chamber section of one of the engines.

  • The turbine nozzle vanes on the rear end of the combustion chamber section.

    The turbine nozzle vanes on the rear end of the combustion chamber section.

  • This piece has a hinge, think it's from a wing.

    This piece has a hinge, think it's from a wing.

  • The outboard section of the left horizontal stabilizer. This is the bottom side.

    The outboard section of the left horizontal stabilizer. This is the bottom side.

  • Close up of the tip section.

    Close up of the tip section.

  • Approaching the crash site.

    Approaching the crash site.

  • At the crash site. Wreckage of the F-4 was scattered for about 200 feet, contained in a ravine. The compressor rotors from both engines and a piece from one of the ejection seats are seen in this photo.

    At the crash site. Wreckage of the F-4 was scattered for about 200 feet, contained in a ravine. The compressor rotors from both engines and a piece from one of the ejection seats are seen in this photo.

  • The tag that was on the piece from the ejection seat.

    The tag that was on the piece from the ejection seat.

  • Another view of the compressor rotors.

    Another view of the compressor rotors.

  • One of them still had the stator case on the high pressure section.

    One of them still had the stator case on the high pressure section.

  • Close view. The pointed end is the front of the engine.

    Close view. The pointed end is the front of the engine.

  • Back side. The one on the right has part of the combustion section still attached.

    Back side. The one on the right has part of the combustion section still attached.

  • The cover from the AC generator and constant speed drive unit from one of the engines. This would have been mounted on the very front of the engine.

    The cover from the AC generator and constant speed drive unit from one of the engines. This would have been mounted on the very front of the engine.

  • One of the main landing gears, looks like it's from the right side.

    One of the main landing gears, looks like it's from the right side.

  • A little farther up were parts from tail. The main spar from the stab and the fin and rudder.

    A little farther up were parts from tail. The main spar from the stab and the fin and rudder.

  • Top view of the stab's main spar assembly.

    Top view of the stab's main spar assembly.

  • This view shows the large amount antihedral in the F-4 stab.

    This view shows the large amount antihedral in the F-4 stab.

  • The fin and rudder. The trailing edge of the rudder was pulled apart with the honeycomb core exposed.

    The fin and rudder. The trailing edge of the rudder was pulled apart with the honeycomb core exposed.

  • Close up of the honeycomb core, which was unraveled.

    Close up of the honeycomb core, which was unraveled.

  • The tail navigation light on top of the fin.

    The tail navigation light on top of the fin.

  • Another view of the fin and rudder. The slot in the fin for the missing rudder counterbalance can be seen.

    Another view of the fin and rudder. The slot in the fin for the missing rudder counterbalance can be seen.

  • The counterbalance from the rudder was nearby.

    The counterbalance from the rudder was nearby.

  • Looking farther up the ravine. Looks like most of the wreckage remains at the site.

    Looking farther up the ravine. Looks like most of the wreckage remains at the site.

  • Some electronic equipment, no idea what it's for.

    Some electronic equipment, no idea what it's for.

  • Part of the turbine nozzle vanes and a piece from the engine air intake with the boundary layer bleed off vents.

    Part of the turbine nozzle vanes and a piece from the engine air intake with the boundary layer bleed off vents.

    0092

  • Closer view of the boundary layer bleed off vents.

    Closer view of the boundary layer bleed off vents.

  • The remains of one of the two 370 gallon external wing tanks that the F-4 was carrying.

    The remains of one of the two 370 gallon external wing tanks that the F-4 was carrying.

  • Craig near the center of the debris field. Craig organized the visit to this site and two others that I went on.

    Craig near the center of the debris field. Craig organized the visit to this site and two others that I went on.

  • Most of the wreckage in this area looks like it's from the fuselage.

    Most of the wreckage in this area looks like it's from the fuselage.

  • Closer view of the fuselage wreckage showing some of the fuel lines that run along the top.

    Closer view of the fuselage wreckage showing some of the fuel lines that run along the top.

  • A piece from the tail end of the fuselage with the bottom section of the fin attached.

    A piece from the tail end of the fuselage with the bottom section of the fin attached.

  • The nose landing gear.

    The nose landing gear.

  • This part is from one of the fuel cells, it's about two foot across.

    This part is from one of the fuel cells, it's about two foot across.

  • Same part turned over showing the large fuel lines.

    Same part turned over showing the large fuel lines.

  • The guys taking a break. Up above are Ken, Ralph and Craig with Robb lower down.

    The guys taking a break. Up above are Ken, Ralph and Craig with Robb lower down.

  • This is part of the fuselage keel where the arrestor hook mounts.

    This is part of the fuselage keel where the arrestor hook mounts.

  • Arrestor hook actuator and damper can be seen, but the hook is missing. Only the hook's shroud remains attached to the keel.

    Arrestor hook actuator and damper can be seen, but the hook is missing. Only the hook's shroud remains attached to the keel.

  • A piece from one of the wings and a part from one of the afterburners.

    A piece from one of the wings and a part from one of the afterburners.

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