F-104C "FG-923" 436th TFS "Black Aces" Commanders aircraft, three stripes over the fuselage marking the WCO's aircraft in 1959

F-104C, construction number 183-1211, model 483-04-05, serial number 56-0923, built by Lockheed
delivery date February 6, 1959; 479th TFW 436 TFS 1960
crashed June 26, 1961 after midair collision with 57-0917 near Charlottesville, Virginia, written off, pilot ejected safely and was not injured.

This accident occurred in a five-ship formation flight (navigation and training mission) from George AFB, California
to Andrews AFB, Maryland with a refuelling stop at Richards-Gebaur AFB, Missouri. The flight departed on an instrument flight plan maintaining visual flight conditions.
There was no severe weather forecast. The flight leveled off in a cruise climb at 38,000' in route formation.
A short time after passing Charleston's VOR a collision occurred between No. 3 (Capt Derrick) and No. 4 (Capt Klix).
After the collision No. 4 (Capt Klix) entered a descent to the right and was last seen entering overcast.
A short time after Capt Klix stated that he was bailing out. No.3 (Capt Derrick) was not seen again after disappearing out of the flight inverted and disintegrating, following the collision.
Capt Klix ejected safely and was not injured. Capt Derrick did not eject and was fatally injured. Duration of flight was 1 hour 30 min.
The crash sites are located approximately 28 NM southwest of Charlottesville, Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains area.

The first F-104Cs began to reach the TAC in September of 1958. It served with four squadrons (434th, 435th, 436th, and 476th) of the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing, based at George AFB.
It was primarily intended for nuclear strike, but it could also carry out ground attack missions with conventional weapons.

copyright © Dick Moore