I'm a former Air Force mishap investigator and I'm amazed over the amount of debris (especially the engine turbine blades) left behind by the crash recovery team. As the RF-4C is built specifically for reconnaissance only, this aircraft had no weapons or ammunition aboard which eliminates any risk of finding unexploded ordnance. By the way I grew up in east TN and I remember hearing of this crash although I was just a teenager at the time.
I remember right after this happened. My Uncle was working the TV relay station less than a mile away from the crash site, if they'd gone just a little bit further, they'd have killed him, too. We saw the crash site right after the USAF had picked up the big stuff. You could clearly see where the Phantom came in at a slight angle, cut down all the tops of the trees right toward where it hit right next to the road, bounced about 200 yards, then impact again and exploded.
We just came across the crash site yesterday. It inspired me to do some research. Thanks for sharing your experience. We felt blessed to have stumbled upon it.
Wow!!! I have been by the marker several times but did not realize all of the debris they left behind. How far off the road is the actual site? I have looked for information on the accident for several years now on the internet but never really came across anything. You did a great job on the video of all the parts.
I'm a former Air Force mishap investigator and I'm amazed over the amount of debris (especially the engine turbine blades) left behind by the crash recovery team. As the RF-4C is built specifically for reconnaissance only, this aircraft had no weapons or ammunition aboard which eliminates any risk of finding unexploded ordnance. By the way I grew up in east TN and I remember hearing of this crash although I was just a teenager at the time.
nightwriterou812 4 days ago
I remember right after this happened. My Uncle was working the TV relay station less than a mile away from the crash site, if they'd gone just a little bit further, they'd have killed him, too. We saw the crash site right after the USAF had picked up the big stuff. You could clearly see where the Phantom came in at a slight angle, cut down all the tops of the trees right toward where it hit right next to the road, bounced about 200 yards, then impact again and exploded.
Willysmb44 3 weeks ago
We just came across the crash site yesterday. It inspired me to do some research. Thanks for sharing your experience. We felt blessed to have stumbled upon it.
atvtrailriders 2 months ago
Wow!!! I have been by the marker several times but did not realize all of the debris they left behind. How far off the road is the actual site? I have looked for information on the accident for several years now on the internet but never really came across anything. You did a great job on the video of all the parts.
BUCHANAN75 3 months ago
I'm staggered all the pieces weren't collected up
MrGAZHD 3 months ago