d/d 02jul59, 479th TFW (jul59-jun65) w/o 17jun65

Note: Aircraft was accepted June 26th, 1959 and delivered the next month. It participated in deployments with 479th TFW at Eglin, Moron and Ramstein. The crewchief of this aircraft with 479th TFW from mid 1963 until it was lost in June 1965 was Bob Anderson

Accident Reports:

29 October 1961 (F-104C)
It encountered an accident at Ramstein during deployment. It could be repaired. It suffered a ground accident preparing for t/o roll at Ramstein AB, Germany. The right MLG had apparently failed. There was no injury. Pilot was 1Lt George F. Tommasi with 435-TFS, 479-TFW (TAC). Pilot was commencing t/o on Rnwy 27 at Ramstein AB, Germany for a 2-ship practice air defense mission. When full Military power was attained prior to t/o the pilot heard a loud BANG and felt the aircraft settle onto the right wing. The pilot shut down because the aircraft was resting on the right pylon tank. The aircraft was removed from the runway without further incident.

17 June 1965 (F-104C)
It crashed on landing at George AFB. Pilot Maj W.Ward could step out of the wreck but was injured. It went through seven rows of approach lights at the end of the runway. The first impact ripped off the centreline mounted MN-1A weapon dispenser. The pilot tried to eject but the ejectionseat could not go up and its rocket motor melted down through the middle of the F-104. (See also story by W.Ward inside Aviation News magazine 13-26 October 1989 on pages 494-496.)
The official accident report revealed generally: "F-104C sn 57-0926 crash-landed short of Runway 16 at George AFB following engine flame-out as the aircraft circled the base with landing gear problems. The pilot survived with major injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. Pilot was Major Charles W. Ward with 479-TFW, 436-TFS.
Following a Wing Competition, Air-To-Ground Gunnery mission including two nuclear, two glide-bomb, two dive-bomb, two rocket, and two strafe deliveries on the Cuddeback Gun Range, this mishap aircraft initiated landing at George AFB in flight of two (flying as #2) approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes into the flight. During landing approach this mishap aircraft discovered his trim to be inoperative, also the APC OUT light was illuminated. His fuel at this time was 1, 700 lbs.
The Lead aircraft made a landing at George AFB but 57-926 (#2) made a go-around because he had no landing gear safe indication. The pilot flew a closed pattern and Lead (apparently on the ground?) replied, “Looks OK from here.”  The mishap pilot interpreted this to mean the gear were down.
On the downwind leg Major Ward pulled the manual landing gear release handle with no apparent effect. This reassured him that the gear were down and he continued his second approach. On final approach Mobile Control advised him that his gear were up.  He also was still indicating 1,700 lbs of fuel but the FUEL LOW light was on.
Another go-around was made so Major Ward could get his gear down. Major Ward checked all circuit breakers, pulled the manual gear release handle, and put some positive G force on the aircraft. An F-4C joined up with Major Ward and informed him that his gear were down even though Major Ward felt no apparent results and was preparing to bail out.
Major Ward headed the F-104 to Runway 16 knowing he was low on fuel. The aircraft then flamed out from fuel starvation and impacted 900 ft short of the runway overrun. The aircraft was extensively damaged but the pilot was able to escape under his own power. There was no fire. The crash occurred 3.4 mile from the runway at George AFB. The pilot received major injuries including compression lumbar fractures.