F-86E (#51-12983) Sabre Crash Site

March 8th 2017





Summery :

 On April 9, 53, a flight of five aircraft with the 3594th Flying Training Squadron out of Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada were on a training flight.
The training that day was to consist of fighter vs fighter gunnery technique with the flight breaking up into a two aircraft element flown separately from the lead flight of three aircraft.
2Lt Donald E. Denison piloting the F-86E Sabre #51-12983 in the two aircraft element made a diving attack run from 35,000 feet on one of the other aircraft which was at approximately 28,000 feet, then pulled up into a high speed barrel roll, completing the maneuver above the attacked aircraft.
His aircraft then went into a high speed stall and snapped rolled to the left.
The maneuver ended with his Sabre in a vertical spin. After no response of spin recovery was made and the aircraft descending past 10,000 feet, he elected to eject.
The pilot was able to escaped with minor injuries before his fighter was destroyed when it exploded on impact with the ground.


    
Description



Manufacturer:
North American
Base model:
F-86
Version:
E
Nickname:
Sabre
Designation System:
U.S. Air Force
Designation Period:
1949-1970 (USAF)
Basic role:
Fighter
Serial Number:
51-12983
Year built:
1951
Crash Date:
1953/4/9
Cause of Crash:
Out of control
Fatalities:
0




Specifications



Length:
37' 1" 11.40 m
Height:
14' 1" 4.50 m
Wingspan:
37' 0" 11.30 m
Wingarea:
313.4 sq ft 29.11 sq m
Empty Weight:
11,125 lb 5,046 kg
Max Takeoff Weight:
18,152 lb 8,234 kg





Propulsion



No. of Engines:
1
Powerplant:
General Electric J47-GE-27 turbojet
Thrust:
5,910 lbf





Performance



Max Speed:
687 mph 1,106 km/h 597 kt
Ceiling:
49,600 ft 15,118 m
Range:
1,525 miles 2,454 km





Unit Cost:
$219,457


    
Other F-86 Link :
 Wikipedia Link : Northrop F-86
    



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