The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

http://www.f-106deltadart.com/71fis_pilotless787.htm


58-0787 landed in a field in Montana after the pilot had ejected. The tail markings belonged to the 71st FIS out of Malmstrom AFB at the time of the landing, however the 71st FIS was later changed to the 319th FIS, Malmstrom. Retired Colonel Wolford (Major) was the Chief of Maintenance at the 71st FIS and his name was stenciled on 58-0787 as the pilot; however, Major Wolford wasn't flying the bird at the time of the incident.

Three F-106s were on a ACM (Air Combat Maneuvers) that day when 58-0787 went into a flat spin and according to procedures, Captain Gary Faust bailed out at 15K feet. One of the accompanying F-106 pilots, IP Major Jimmy Lowe, observed the ejection and also observed 58-0787 straighten out right after ejection and reportedly transmitted "Gary - you'd better get back in it!". Major Wolford got a call from the sheriff about an airplane sitting in a field with the engine running and wanted to know how to shut it off. The sheriff was advised to just let it run out of fuel. The plane was resting gear up, engine running, on a small amount of snow, with a slight downhill grade and as the snow melted under the aircraft, it would creep forward some, which had the sheriff rather excited. A depot team from Sacramento Logistics Center, McClellan AFB came in, took the wings off, put everything on a railroad flatcar (a railroad set of tracks was conveniently located about a mile from the landing site), and shipped it to McClellan AFB, CA where it was repaired. Colonel Wolford said he'd like to have flown it out of there but after the aircraft was lifted up, the under side damage was greater than thought. The Stable Table had exited the bottom through the 05 panel area and crunched its way back to the rear of the plane ruining the armament bay doors. The wings were in perfect shape. This is an accurate story from the guy who were there, and verfied by Col Wolford. Thanks to Erv Smalley for sending me this info.




58-0787 Article from the Mohawk Flyer, 10 March 1978 - submitted by Bill Chapman, 15 Oct 00

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

Awesome story - thanks for the link.

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

Just amazing, But I think there is more to the story than what is being told, they forgot to mention the gremlins that landed the plane. Got to give them credit too..

But for real, amazing story...................

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

"Gary - you'd better get back in it!" LOL


great story... thx for posting it.


Enrique

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

Hi there

As well as the gremlins in the cockpit, the CoG shift following the departure of the canopy, the bang-seat, and of course the original pilot, added to the considerable thrust at idle, allowed the aircraft to descend gently until it reached the snow covered alfalfa field where it gently slithered to a halt.

Just proves the old adage, "Airplanes don't crash. Pilots crash them."

As to the residual thrust on these airplanes, they could achieve 87 kts on level ground with engine set at idle. You can imagine the speed attainable with gear up, and no pilot to interfere with the aerodynamics. Very slippery device indeed.

Eric

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

For those of you who are interested, this aircraft is on display at the Wright Patterson AFB Museum in Dayton, OH.

Peter

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

Cool story, I have an old Knights of the air kit of the six waiting for its turn on the building board. I am looking for 106 pics for a color scheme. will use my P-60 for power.

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

We had a similar thing happen here in Oz with a Mirage years back. Following engine failure the pilot ejected (SOP in a Mirage) and the plane glided by itself & landed in a swamp with surprisingly little damage. Is it a coincidence that both are tail less deltas & both continued on in stable flight or is the design inherantly stable? - John.

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

Hi John,

Not sure about that but I have a very poor picture of a Danish Hunter Mark 51 (Ser # 415) that bellied in on its own airfield with very little damage after the pilot banged out some miles away! I've attached the picture but, as I said, it's poor!

Cheers,

Dick
England

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

Very cool stories.

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

Whats under the tail cone of the 106?

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

Hi there

It is probably the gremlin that landed it, admiring his handiwork.

Eric

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

FT here, borrowing a computer.
Great Story, BUT, an even better story might be to have a photo of the
Truck that made those Tire Tracks!!
UFB.

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

ummm..if the pilot ejected from that hunter...how come the canopy is still on??? It also looks like the ejection seat is still there too...did he go over the side?????????????

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

Hi Pegasus


This pic was still on the late Rich Fong's website.

Notice any similarities to the object under tailpipe?


[img][/img]

RE: The Six That Wouldn't Die
 

No, am I missing something?