KC-135A Stratotanker & F-105D Thunderchief Crash Site

December 25th 2018





Summery :

 The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is a military aerial refueling aircraft developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype.
This KC-135A (#60-0340) was assigned with the 462th Aerospace Wing out of Larson AFB, Washington.

The Republic F-105 Thunderchief was an American supersonic fighter-bomber.
This F-105D (#61-0091) was assigned with the 355th TFW out of George AFB, California.

On July 8th, 1964, this KC-135A (#60-0340) was scheduled for a 7-hours combat crew training mission to refuel fighter aircraft.
Meanwhile, three F-105Ds were scheduled for a 3-hours instrument training in addion to the scheduled air refueling mission.
They redezvoused over the Deathe Valley at 26,000 ft.
At 2:58PM, after their successful refueling mission, this KC-135A (#60-0340) attempted to leave the area and made a right turn when the right engine number 4 struck the cockpit of F-105D (#61-0091).
Both airplane exploded creating a large fireball and dove into the ground and crashed.
All 4 crews on KC-135A and the pilot of F-105D were killed.


    
Description



Manufacturer:
Boeing Republic Aviation
Base model:
KC-135 F-105
Version:
A D
Nickname:
Stratotanker Thunderchief
Designation System:
USAF USAF
Designation Period:
1957- 1958-1984
Basic role:
Aerial refuelling and transport Fighter-bomber
Serial Number:
60-0340 61-0091
Crash Date:
1964/7/8
Cause of Crash:
Mid-Air collision
Fatalities:
5 (4 crews of KC-135 & pilot of F-105)




Specifications
KC-135A
F-105D

Length:
136'3"" 41.53 m 64'4.75"" 19.63 m
Height:
41'8"" 12.70 m 19'8"" 5.99 m
Wingspan:
130'10"" 39.88 m 34'11.25"" 10.65 m
Wingarea:
2433 sq ft 226 sq m 385 sq ft 35.76 sq m
Empty Weight:
98,466 lb 44,663 kg 26,855 lb 12,181 kg
Loaded Weight:
297,000 lb 135,000 kg 35,637 lb 16,165 kg






Propulsion




No. of Engines:
4 1
Powerplant:
CFM International CFM56
(F108-CF-100) turbofan		 Pratt & Whitney J75-P-19W
afterburning turbojet
Thrust:
21,634 lbf each 14,300 lbf





Performance



Max Speed:
580 mph (Mach 0.9) 933 km/h 1,372 mph (Mach 2.08) 2,208 km/h
Ceiling:
50,000 ft 15,200 m 48,500 ft 14,800 m


    
Other KC-135 Link :
 Wikipedia Link : Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
Other F-105 Link :
 Wikipedia Link : Republic F-105 Thunderchief
    



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