F-104G DA+116 during reassembly at Manching 1962

construction number 683-2019, model 683-10-19, built by Lockheed
manufactured by ARGE-USA; assembly in Fighter-Bomber version according contract lot 3
flight test release October 27, 1961, flown with register number "119" for test flights 1961 at Lockheed, Palmdale
acceptance date by BABwLockheed not known
DA+116 shipped to Bremerhaven, Germany on November 15, 1961 with 35 flight hours
parts transported by train to Messerschmitt-Manching for reassembly
project "42" as Fighter-Bomber (for JaboG 31) with Vulcan M61 20 mm machine gun installed
and long range tanks as loose parts; first flight with Messerschmitt on April 3, 1962
acceptance date by BABwMTT on May 15, 1962
DA+116 JaboG 31 delivery date on May 18, 1962; planned for project "Columbus"
crashed on September 3, 1962 near Metternich shortly after take-off from Norvenich AB
due to loss of control (stall) after landing gear retraction problems, the pilot ejected but was killed
struck off charge order August 31, 1964
parts to Technical School at Delft, Netherlands in October 1966

Shortly after take-off the pilot reported a landing gear malfunction
Pilot of another aircraft confirmed that the forward landing gear doors were open.
Pilot cycled the landing gear and got the APC kicker actuation. Sometime later the aircraft was observed to descent.
The pilot ejected at about 70 feet, but was fatally injured.
Pilot raised the flaps at too low airspeed. Aircraft became uncontrollable.
Descending flight pass at moment of ejection. Parachute did not have time to blossom.

copyright © Klaus Kropf