F-16 Aircraft Database

Airframe Details for F-16 #78-0105




F-16 Aircraft Profile

Aircraft: : 78-0105
LM Aero T/V 62-31
Plant General Dynamics
Local C/N
Delivered USAF 78105
F-16B Block 5
Current USAF 78105
F-16B Block 5
Status [pre]
"I was appointed 'Crew Chief' of what was left and had the job of removing some of the damaged areas with a die Grinder and preparing it for use as a trainer. It soon became apparent that the aircraft would be of little training value except for teaching tire changes, wing weapons pylon installation, missile launcher installation and removal and a few other tasks. Power could not be applied to the airframe so no functional tests could be performed. The aircraft was sent out and I do not remember what the final disposition of the airframe was, I believe it went back to General Dynamics." -- Denny


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Aircraft History

Date Status Local S/N Airforce/Unit Version Name Info
08 Dec 1979 [act] 78105 F-16B Block 5
21 Dec 1979 [act] 78105 USAF 61 TFTS 'MC' F-16B Block 5
27 Mar 1981 [msh] 78105 USAF 61 TFTS 'MC' F-16B Block 5
Went down over the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. The crash was caused by an N2 speed sensor fault due to failed pins inside the sensor. The aircraft was recovered but damage was extensive to the cockpit area. The aircraft remains were brought back to MacDill AFB and stored in a hanger with the front being replaced by the front of #84-1228. Everything was removed forward of the intake and it was used as a maintainance trainer for a while.
27 Mar 1981 [w/o] 78105 USAF 61 TFTS 'MC' F-16B Block 5
Unknown [i/a] 78105 'MC' F-16B Block 5
After attempts to salvage for training use, the aircraft spent years inactive with General Dynamics.
Feb 2016 [pre] 78105 F-16B Block 5
Lockeed-Martin donated the aircraft to Joe Davies Heritage Airpark and is in works for being restored for static display. Unclear when the front end was grafted onto the aircraft to make it a more complete display.
In the end it was used to restore #84-1228 for displaying purposes at the Joe Davies Heritage Airpark in Palmdale, California. Remained 'registered' as 84-1228.

Crew Chief Comments

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MSgt. Mike Garcia

 Crew Chief Profile
56 TTW , 1980 - 1982


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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