F-4C Explosion

F-4C Explosion

Courtesy of Alan Cooper

The Desert Airman - 4 Dec 1970
Davis-Monthan AFB

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AFTERMATH--Above is the wreckage of the F-4C Phantom II which exploded Tuesday while being refueled. In the accident one man died and two others were seriously injured. An Air Force investigation board has been formed to determine the cause of the accident. (U.S. Air Force Photo by 1st Lt. Perry Fletcher)

Article
One man died and two were seriously injured when an F-4C Phantom II burst into flames in a refueling pit Tuesday.

The dead man was identified as Sgt. Robert C. Spell, a ground crew member of the 4453rd Organizational Maintenance Squadron.

Pilot of the aircraft, Lt. Col. John Wall , and navigator, Capt. James Rabbitt, both of the 4453rd Combat Crew Training Wing, were listed in fair condition at the Brooke Army Hospital Burn Center at Ft. Sam Houston, Tex. Both are presently undergoing treatment there.

Sergeant Spell was refueling the aircraft when it burst into flames. Colonel Wall and Captain Rabbitt were both seated in the aircraft at the time of the accident.

A fire truck was on line standby approximately 100 yards away. It reached the scene and brought the fire under control.

An ambulance was dispatched following the accident and brought the stricken men to the hospital.

An Air Force investigation board has been formed to determine the cause of the accident and the facts surrounding the incident.

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