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| Date: | Wednesday 1 May 1968 |
| Time: | 05:30 |
| Type: |  Grumman A-6A Intruder |
| Owner/operator: | VMA(AW)-242 USMC |
| Registration: | 151578 |
| MSN: | I-60 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | 5 miles from Da Nang Air Base, Da Nang, South Vietnam -
 Vietnam
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Da Nang AB, South Vietnam (DAD/VVNN) |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
A-6A Intruder BuNo. 151578, of VMA(AW)‑242, MAG‑11, US Marine Corps, based at Da Nang Air Base, Da Nang, South Vietnam. Destroyed on combat operations May 1, 1968: Captain Jim Fickler and Captain G H Christensen were departing from Da Nang on an alert launch with 28 Mk-82 bombs.
At 05:30 hours, the pilot was on an IFR departure when he noticed no "up" indication on the slats. At approximately 220 knots he reduced power to slow the aircraft and recycle the slats. At 180 knots, the pilot raised the slats and the left wing dropped. Lateral controls were ineffective and the aircraft continued to roll to the left. The pilot blew the canopy and ordered the B/N to eject and he ejected himself immediately thereafter.
Both crew - Captain E. J. Fickler (pilot) and Captain G H Christensen (Bombardier/Navigator) - ejected safely and were quickly recovered back to base.
Sources:
1. A-6 Intruder Units of the Vietnam War By Rick Morgan
2. http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries19.html
3. http://web.archive.org/web/20171103001143/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk:80/aircraft_by_type/a6_prowler.htm
4. http://web.archive.org/web/20180422222159/http://www.millionmonkeytheater.com/A-6.html
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 18-Mar-2016 21:59 | Dr.John Smith | Added |
| 27-Dec-2019 15:08 | stehlik49 | Updated [Operator, Operator] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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