Crane Accident At Navy Base Damages Refurbished Vintage Jet

[StangStung]

I meant specifically the tail section. Sorry for the confusion.

[RickH]

Any Bravo, Charlie, Lima, would bolt right up. Others would too,pretty much everything except the M.

[Warbirdjohn]

Muddy ground again??? That makes two incidences where soggy ground has caused a problem!!!

[Jerry O'Neill]

There, but for the grace of God.....
I was worried about something similar when we took the Stratford, CT Corsair off the pole.
Not so much for the crane to topple, as we were closer to the aircraft than it appears the A-4 crane was, but the first time we tried to lift it in late April of 2008, the winds kept increasing.
That's all I needed! with everyone and the newspaper there to bang the bird up cause of wind.
I postponed it and several people thought that was a good decision. (me too!)
Jerry

[JohnH]

Never heard of this incident, but I knew this thread would be about a Skyhawk. I'm just glad it's not the one in Arizona, because that's what I was thinking.

[avenger2504]

While we are on the subject of the A4, our Air Force Museum has just received the first of two Skyhawks that will be displayed. These are from the Combat Wing that our stupid (Labour) Government retired in 2001. Whereas the previous national Government had ordered there replacements, namely near new low houred F16As!!!
Anyway click this link to see photos of TA4-K NZ6254, the first RNZAF Skyhawk to move to its new home. This was the prototype for the KAHU Avionics upgrade down in the mid/late '90s giving the A4 some much needed teeth. They will also be getting a single seater NZ6205. NZ6254 also is famous for being the first Skyhawk to fly upon arrival here in May 1970 and NZ6205 is historic for being the mount to fire the first Maverick Air to Ground Missile here. Photos are near the bottom of the page.
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?bo ... 431&page=4

And video of her arrival at Wigram, home of the Air Force Museum.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A ... ue&h=e4b5b

[Roger Cain]

This was really sad to see happen, I've seen this plane everytime I came through the gate over the many years it's been there, and the empty spot for the past two years. Here is a video of the actual mishap:
http://news.yahoo.com/video#video=25615202

Glad to know it is not a flying vintage jet and that it is not a rare or unusual type (if it was you would hope it would be an indoor display). In any case hope they fix it soon and get it back on display.

[whistlingdeath77]

thats tough to watch

[timstqy]

I am one of two members of five that did not speak to the media that day and advised the entire crew to stay away from speaking with them, as they typically report what they want anyway.
This was heartbreaking to witness in person, and I felt like my heart just got yanked out and chopped in half.
Yes it did cause MAJOR damage but all the required parts to put her back together have been found...instead of directing comments to the tragic events I would encourage you to direct your attention to the fact that a group of dedicated volunteers did an outstanding job restoring this jet to it's original out of the factory 1958 paint job..."the Albino Angels" scheme. This jet (BuNu142200)only made 1 cruise (WestPac) on the Shangri-La 1958 then was used as a training aircraft until feb1969. In August of the same year it was put on it's pylon.
In 2008 it was blown down by a wind storm (three of the four studs holding it to the pylon where broken (rusted through due to lack of care)...the forth stud finally gave way). When I got involved with this crew they had no clue how to proceed with the restoration...I asked only 1 question...How do you want to restore this ...do you want to fix it or do you want to fix it right?
they answered the question to correct and i was then involved...
We gave this aircraft a complete corrosion control eval and going over to clean it up. We had to fix damage as a result of the fall in 2008. Now you see what happened this past June as a result of someone who do not know the limits of his machine...
What I would ask is that you give support to us volunteers and contact the City to ensure this aircraft is put back together correctly and no"shortcuts" are taken to just put it back up on it's display post...

[Mike]

What I would ask is that you give support to us volunteers and contact the City to ensure this aircraft is put back together correctly and no"shortcuts" are taken to just put it back up on it's display post...

Happy to do so, timstqy. Could you provide contact details of the individual that you would suggest as a best point of contact, and then I'd be glad to send an email or letter of support.

[Roger Cain]

Just to follow up this post the A-4 was repaired and put back on it's Pedestal on Dec. 20th, 2011
http://www.action-alameda-news.com/2011/12/21/a-4-skyhawk-back-at-alameda-point/

[Tulio]

I am one of two members of five that did not speak to the media that day and advised the entire crew to stay away from speaking with them, as they typically report what they want anyway.
This was heartbreaking to witness in person, and I felt like my heart just got yanked out and chopped in half.
Yes it did cause MAJOR damage but all the required parts to put her back together have been found...instead of directing comments to the tragic events I would encourage you to direct your attention to the fact that a group of dedicated volunteers did an outstanding job restoring this jet to it's original out of the factory 1958 paint job..."the Albino Angels" scheme. This jet (BuNu142200)only made 1 cruise (WestPac) on the Shangri-La 1958 then was used as a training aircraft until feb1969. In August of the same year it was put on it's pylon.
In 2008 it was blown down by a wind storm (three of the four studs holding it to the pylon where broken (rusted through due to lack of care)...the forth stud finally gave way). When I got involved with this crew they had no clue how to proceed with the restoration...I asked only 1 question...How do you want to restore this ...do you want to fix it or do you want to fix it right?
they answered the question to correct and i was then involved...
We gave this aircraft a complete corrosion control eval and going over to clean it up. We had to fix damage as a result of the fall in 2008. Now you see what happened this past June as a result of someone who do not know the limits of his machine...
What I would ask is that you give support to us volunteers and contact the City to ensure this aircraft is put back together correctly and no"shortcuts" are taken to just put it back up on it's display post...

A big THANK YOU, to you and your fellow restorers. You are IT, what this preservation "thing" is all about. KUDOS!!!


Saludos,


Tulio

[MCDOUGALL DOUGLAS]

Pictures of the A-4 being repaired and back up at www.fightingclassics.com . go to the projects page.


maj.

[TAdan]

The Repaired A-4 looks fantastic. Very attractive paint scheme.

McDougall Douglas, thanks for sharing your site. Looks like you have a very nice operation. I like seeing all those A-4's lined up infront of the hanger.