This F-104A was lost on this day. Lt Henry was member of Class 63-A of the ARPS (Aerospace Research Pilot School), Edwards AFB, California, and scheduled to fly two zoom-climb maneuvers as part of the curriculum. His first zoom-climb was routine at 0830 hours in 56-764 and he landed in a normal manner  where he reached a peak altitude of 73,600 feet (might be 78,600 feet, since the accident report is very difficult to read). The second mission was scheduled for 1020 hours (and it was to be Lt. Henry's fifth zoom mission).  This second zoom was routine in all respects except at the peak of the zoom.  Radar plot showed Lt Henry's initial climb angle at 45 degrees gradually increasing to 52 degrees near the peak of the maneuver. Entry ground speed recorded by Edwards radar plot was 1,090 knots and the ground speed at the top of the zoom 270 knots.  Maximum altitude of 83,000 feet was reached.  As the nose fell through the peak of the zoom the aircraft yawed to the left approx 135 degrees. The nose nearly leveled then yawed right and the aircraft entered a flat spin. Lt. Henry attempted spin recovery with the aircraft spinning at one revolution per every 6 seconds, nose about 10 degrees below the horizon, wings level.  Several engine air-starts attempted passing through 65,000 feet but were unsuccessful.  At 35,000 feet Lt. Henry selected take-off flaps with no effect.  Spinning through 25,000 feet the drag chute was deployed, also with negligible effect. Pilot ejected successfully at 4,000 feet AGL. He was immediately rescued by helicopter. The aircraft impacted the ground still in a flat spin, contacting the ground slightly nose first and broke in two. The fuel tanks exploded and the aircraft burned from the front frame of the engine forward. Crash occurred 3 nautical miles north of Rogers Dry Lake, Edwards AFB; near Boron. Pilot was Lt. Patrick Henry, Jr., US Navy, AFSC, AFFTC.

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There are not many photos known of this Starfighter. Here a photo showing the aircraft wearing the typical dayglow panels while flying for the Air Force Flight Test Center in 1961. (Foto : USAF)

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Left a "rough" photo from the accident report clearly showing the two wings and the burned middle section. It indeed came down in flat position.. Right two newspaper articles about this accident. . (Christopher Baird Collection)