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YF-104A Crash Site
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larger view!
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Story by G. Pat Macha,
Aircraft Wrecks Archaeologist
On May 1, 1957 Engineering Test Pilot for Lockheed Aircraft John J.
Simpson, Jr. was flying Lockheed YF-104A-1-LO # 55-2962 on a routine
test flight from Palmdale, California when he experienced a
right aileron malfunction that led to a violent pitch down that
resulted in the the loss of the tail assembly. Mr. Simpson ejected
upside down at approximately 17,000' at some 380 to 400 knots.
Amazingly he landed without major injuries near Hwy 58, East of Kramer
Junction on the Mojave Desert. #55-2962 made a crater in the desert
some two miles north of Hwy 58, NE of Kramer Junction. 2% to 3% of
Jack Simpson's YF-104A remain at the crash site today.
(Photos courtesy of G. Pat Macha) |
"Suitcase" Simpson and G. Pat Macha
with "Suitcase's Appleknocker" at the Western
Museum of Flight.
(WMOF, Hawthorne, Ca)
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Pat J. Macha, son of G. Pat Macha,
in the impact crater of #55-2962.
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Assorted wreckage of "Suitcase's"
YF-104A, including engine turbine blades.
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Many of the parts remaining have the
F-104 series prefix numbers 72-, 74-, 76-, etc.
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