F-104G 25+76 JaboG 31 landing 1967

F-104G, construction number 683D-9037, company model 683-10-19, built by SABCA
manufactured by West Group (ARGE-West); assembly start April 26,1963 at SABCA-Gosselies
first flight August 13, 1963 coded with construction number "9037" in AWX (All Weather Fighter) version
2 SABCA factory test flights and 2 military test flights with 5 flight hours; coded KH+122 acceptance date by BABwSABCA on September 16, 1963
camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196"; LVR 3 (Luftwaffenversorgungsregiment 3) at Manching AB on September 23, 1963
to Messerschmitt on March 2, 1964 and modified to Fighterbomber version
DA+124 JaboG 31 "Boelcke" at Norvenich AB delivery date on September 17, 1964
25+76 crashed on April 17, 1974 during emergency landing at Norvenich AB due to engine failure (FOD due to a screw)
after several Compressor Stalls; pilot ejected safely; written off; struck off charge order (AVA) July 8, 1974.

The aircraft went airborne on RWY 07 for a night mission and developed a compressor stall immediately after lift-off (a lot of sparks coming out).
Capt Ding was able to clear the stall and initiated an emergency landing. Unfortunately he missed the centerline
(there was no flash lighting system on RWY 07 and only a very basic (abbreviated) approach lighting system and no Guidance Radar (GCA)
on this day as well). So he had to go around. Several more compressor stalls occurred thereafter.
When the last one occurred on short final Capt Ding was already too low and had to eject. Luckily Capt Ding survived.
The aircraft came down in a farmer's ground. (by Heribert Mennen)

copyright © Helmut Baumann