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| Date: | Friday 23 July 1976 |
| Time: | 10:14 |
| Type: |  McDonnell Douglas Phantom FGR.2 |
| Owner/operator: | 29 Sqn RAF |
| Registration: | XV417 |
| MSN: | 3026 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | off Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire |
| RAF Coningsby | |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
During ACT with two Dutch F-104’s over the North Sea the starboard wing tip folded when pulling 5G. The crew ejected and the aircraft crashed into the sea off Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire. Caused by a loose outer wing securing bolt. Crew later named as Flight Lieutenant Jim W. Jackson (pilot) and Captain B. A. 'Dave' Newberry (Canadian Air Force)
According to a report from one of the ground crew: "I seem to remember in the early 80's on the line on 56(F) Sqn, that all the F-4Ms up to XV417 had a hydraulic wing fold, a switch in the L/H undercarridge bay, and a speed brace was all that was required."
Wreckage was recovered, and sent (in September 1976) to Farnborough for accident investigation. From there the remains were sent to the PEE at Foulness Island, Essex in September 1979; since scrapped
The crew somehow regained control after the outer wing broke off, but on attempting trial approach at safe height ran out of lateral control so ejected. HSA tests in simulator showed with full opposite rudder to control yaw approach speed had to be above 210kts to land, then only on a long runway with a far end barrier as you wouldn't stop!
No 322 Squadron Royal Netherland AF F-104s were at RAF Coningsby on routine “Heartsease” squadron exchange with RAF No. 29 Squadron. Planned mission was “Unlike Air Combat Sortie” 1 Phantom/2 F-104s. Stream take-off, air-to-air photography of the F-104s by the Phantom during transit using the strike camera, 45 degree splits for combat, engagements limited to only one missile “kill” with individual element recoveries.
At 10,000’ during a 4-to-5G hard starboard turn conducting DACT with two Dutch F-104s the Phantom’s outer starboard wing failed and fell off. The Phantom did 2 immediate snap rolls to the right. The pilot was able to recover using full left-stick.
The Phantom was flown for approximately 15 minutes and performed low-speed controllability checks. Gear was lowered and speed reduced to 230 knots. When half-flaps were selected there was complete hydraulic failure. The aircraft began rolling uncontrolled to the right and inverted. The crew was forced to eject over the water while descending below 13,000’. Both were rescued safely by helo.
The wreckage was recovered over a 2-month period. Only a portion of the missing outer starboard wing was located (just the leading edge). It was determined that the remaining section had probably landed in Danger Area D309. This was in the “Wash Dump”, an area used for jettisoning hazardous stores. It was not considered safe or practicable to attempt salvage in this area.
The AIB could not determine the exact cause of the failure because a vital part of the outer wing could not be located (the lower skin of the wing which abutted the recovered section of flap and the outboard wing fold joint). XV417 was equipped with hydraulic wing fold. Structural failure was in either the lower aft lock lug or a crack in the lower skin. It was not due to the pilot overstressing the aircraft while maneuvering.
There had been numerous, unexplained, low-altitude Phantom losses which may have been similar wing failures.
XV417 had flown a total of 1,563 hours (237 since last major overhaul).
Sources:
1. http://web.archive.org/web/20171019205516/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/F-4_Phantom_RAF.htm
2. http://www.bcar.org.uk/1970s.html#76
3. https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanwz581/6701638345/ (wreckage of XV417 at Foulness in March 1981)
4. https://www.pprune.org/6631390-post105.html
5. http://www.ukserials.com/losses-1976.htm
Royal Air Force Proceedings Of A Board Of Inquiry Or Unit Inquiry Into An Aircraft Accident 24 July 1976 XV417
Location
Images:
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 14-Nov-2010 11:55 | ASN archive | Added |
| 23-Jun-2012 15:37 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Cn, Operator, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Location, Country, Phase, Departure airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 20-Dec-2012 14:39 | Nepa | Updated [Aircraft type, Operator, Source, Narrative] |
| 07-Feb-2013 12:31 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Aircraft type, Source, Embed code] |
| 23-Jun-2013 02:27 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
| 19-Jul-2015 23:23 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Embed code] |
| 12-Nov-2015 11:42 | BC Norman | Updated [Narrative] |
| 02-Jul-2024 10:59 | ChrisB | Updated [Time, Destination airport, Source, Narrative, Category, Photo] |
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