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Blackledge, David Carl, Capt.
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Contact Info
Last Address Cannon AFB, New Mexico Cresskill, New Jersey
On March 20, 1973, while on a night training mission, two F-111Ds assigned to the 27th TFW
collided during a night formation rejoin. The accident occured near Holbrook Arizona. The
aircraft involved were F-111D (s/n 68-0105), crewed by Maj. Richard Brehm and Maj. William
Halloran, and F-111D s/n 68-0158 crewed by Maj. William Gude and Capt. David Blackledge.
In the collision, 68-0105's wingtip hit 68-0158's left side near the cockpit. The force of the
impact caused the capsule of 68-0158 to eject; 68-0105 then ejected. The rocket motor from
one capsule burned the main parachute of the other. Neither capsule landed safely and the
crews of both aircraft were killed.
F-111D (s/n 68-0105) had accumulated 53 flights and 142.7 flight hours at the time of the crash.
Crew:
MAJ Richard L. Brehm
MAJ William T. Halloran
F-111D (s/n 68-0158) had accumulated 24 flights and 68.1 flight hours.
Crew:
MAJ William W. Gude
CAPT David C. Blackledge
Other Comments:
Date: 20-MAR-1973
Time: 21:21 MST
Type: General Dynamics F-111D
Owner/operator: 27th TFW, USAF
Registration: 68-0158 C/n / msn: A6-74
Fatalities: Fatalities: 2 /
Occupants: 2
Other fatalities: 2
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: 1 mile N of Holbrook, Arizona - United States of America
Phase: En route
Nature: Military
Departure airport: Cannon AFB, NM
Destination airport:
Narrative:
On March 20, 1973, while on a night training mission, two F-111Ds assigned to the 27th TFW collided during a night formation rejoin. The accident occured near Holbrook, Arizona. The aircraft involved were F-111D s/n 68-0105, crewed by Maj. Richard Brehm and Maj. William Halloran, and F-111D s/n 68-0158 crewed by Maj. William Gude and Capt. David Blackledge.
In the collision, 68-0105's wingtip hit 68-0158's left side near the cockpit. The force of the impact caused the capsule of 68-0158 to eject; 68-0105 then ejected. The rocket motor from one capsule burned the main parachute of the other. Neither capsule landed safely and the crews of both aircraft were killed. F-111D s/n 68-0158 had accumulated 24 flights and 68.1 flight hours.
Source: aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php
1972-1973, F-111 Aardvark
From Year 1972
To Year 1973
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
F-111 Aardvark Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
Model General Dynamics F-111F Aardvark Length 73.49 ft | 22.40 m Width 62.99 ft | 19.20 m Height 17.13 ft | 5.22 m Engine(s) 2 x Pratt & Whitney TF30-P-111 turbofan engines generating 25,100lbs of standard thrust each. Empty Weight 47,840 lbs | 21,700 kg MTOW 100,002 lbs | 45,360 kg Max Speed 914 mph | 1,471 km/h | 794 kts Max Range 2,900 miles | 4,667 km Ceiling 57,907 ft | 17,650 m | 11.0 miles Climb Rate Not Available Hardpoints 5 Armament 1 x 22mm cannon
Mission-specific ordnance can include any of the following:
* F-111A - Initial Production Model Designation; 23 pre-production models produced; Total of 158 at production end fitted with 18,500lb TF30-P-3 powerplants; 42 converted to EF-111A Ravens. * F-111B - Cancelled Fleet Defense Variant of which 5 pre-production models were produced. * F-111C - Australian Export Models of which 24 were produced. * F-111D - 96 Production Models fitted with TF30-P-0 powerplants generating 19,600lbs of thrust each. * F-111E - 94 Production Models of this type. * F-111F - 106 Production Models of this type fitted with TF30-P-111 capable of 25,100lbs of thrust each. * EF-111A "Raven" - Electronic Warfare Model Designation based on converted F-111 "A" models; retired in 1998. * FB-111A - Strategic Model Designation of which 76 were produced; fitted with 2 x additional hardpoints, increased wingspan and TF30-P-7 powerplants generating 20,150lbs of thrust; improved electronics. * F-111G - Converted FB-111A Models for European Theater use; RAAF usage of this model as well. * EF-111A - Electronic Warfare Conversion Models of F-111A series; 42 converted in this way.
