F-104A 56-0740 US Navy at NAF China Lake 1961

F-104A, construction number 183-1028, model 183-93-02, US serial number 56-0740, built by Lockheed
delivery date June 29, 1957; ARDC (1957-1959) ADTC (Armament Development and Test Center) support
accident on November 19, 1957 at Eglin AFB and repaired; July 1959 at NAF China Lake coded as "Navy" for the US Navy
flying out of NAF China Lake (NMC) for Sidewinder 1C (AIM-9) missile tests crashed into mountain Josephine Peak
(near the junction of Mt. Wilson and Palmdale Roads in the Angeles Natl. Forest) north of Los Angeles on September 22, 1960
pilot USMC Captain Harold O. Casada Jr. was killed
On September 22, 1960, US Marine Corps Captain Howard O. Casada Jr. was killed when his Navy F-104 Starfighter (56-0740),
based at China Lake Naval Weapons Center and carrying Sidewinder missiles,
crashed into the southern face of Josephine Peak at an elevation of 4500 ft; the cause of the crash was thought to be oxygen depletion at altitude.

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