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Airframe Details for F-16 #81-0724

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F-16 Aircraft Profile

Aircraft: 81-0724



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LM Aero T/V 61-405
Plant General Dynamics
Local C/N
Delivered USAF 81724
F-16A Block 15E
Current USAF 81724
F-16A Block 15E
Status [w/o]
Crew chief at the time of the crash was Dan Dunn.


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Aircraft History

Date Status Local S/N Airforce/Unit Version Name Info
15 Oct 1982 [act] 81724 F-16A Block 15E
Nov 1982 [act] 81724 USAF 35 TFS 'WP' F-16A Block 15E
15 Dec 1982 [msh] 81724 USAF 35 TFS 'WP' F-16A Block 15E
The aircraft collided with a USMC F-4 Phantom II during DACT. The right wing of the Phantom cut through the belly of the F-16 at a 35 degree angle. The resulting damage to the engine gearbox meant the aircraft could not recover. Both aircraft were passing head-to-head at Mach 1 meaning a closure rate of Mach 2. The pilot, Captain Daryl "Smilin' Jack" Hower, was forced to eject from the F-16 at an altitude of around 23,000 feet but was relatively unhurt. The Viper slowly drifted down and impacted the ground on a muddy tidal plain. The USMC found it to be a unique opportunity to practice combat repair techniques by patching up the Phantom. If any one knows the serial of the F-4, please let us know.
15 Dec 1982 [w/o] 81724 USAF 35 TFS 'WP' F-16A Block 15E

Crew Chief Comments

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SSgt. Dan Dunn

Crew Chief Profile
8th Fighter Wing "Wolf Pack" , 1983 - 1883
I was the Dedicated Crew Chief on this aircraft for a very brief time. It was lost after a collison during DACT with a USMC F-4.


Abbreviations and symbols:
[act] Active [i/a] Instructional Airframe [sto] Stored (e.g. at AMARG)
[cld] Cancelled Order [msh] Involved in Mishap [w/o] Write-off
[con] Converted [o/o] On Order
[des] Destroyed (drone) [pre] Preserved (museum, gateguard) T/V LM Aero Type/Version (Construction) number
[emb] Embargoed [scr] Scrapped Photo Available
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