Non-fatal Accident (1 ejected) – Convair F-106A Delta Dart, 58-0787, Big Sandy, Montana, February 2, 1970
OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
OFFICIAL FINAL REPORT: Report Not Available Yet
SOURCE Report:
On February 2, 1970, during a routine training mission over Montana, a Convair F-106 Delta Dart, tail number 58-0787, entered an unrecoverable flat spin, prompting the pilot, First Lieutenant Gary Foust, to eject at approximately 15,000 feet. Remarkably, the aircraft stabilized after his ejection, descending in a controlled manner to execute an unpiloted belly landing in a snow-covered field near Big Sandy, Montana.
The aircraft sustained minimal damage upon landing. A local sheriff, arriving at the scene, observed the engine still running and, following instructions from Air Force personnel, allowed it to continue operating until the fuel was exhausted. Subsequently, the F-106 was recovered, repaired, and returned to active service. It continued to operate with units such as the 49th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, the final Air Force unit to operate the F-106.
This incident, later dubbed the “Cornfield Bomber,” stands as a unique event in aviation history, illustrating the aerodynamic stability of the F-106 Delta Dart. The aircraft was eventually retired and is now on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, serving as a testament to this extraordinary occurrence.
Convair F-106A Delta Dart Technical Notes (incident aircraft):
» Armament: One AIR-2A Genie air-to-air nuclear missile plus four AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air missiles
» Engine: One Pratt & Whitney J75-P-17 of 24,500 lbs. thrust with afterburner
» Crew: One
» Maximum speed: 1,525 mph
» Cruising speed: 650 mph
» Range: 1,500 statute miles
» Ceiling: 53,000 ft.
» Span: 38 ft. 4 in.
» Length: 70 ft. 9 in.
» Height: 20 ft. 4 in.
» Serial number: 58-0787
The Aviatioist Report:
https://theaviationist.com/2016/04/27/heres-why-the-f-106-delta-dart-was-the-ultimate-bomber-interceptor/
Aircraft Operator:
United States Air Force
Video(s):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1rqEXe2xIg
Accident Location:
near Big Sandy, Montana
48°10′40″N 110°06′53″W (https://g.co/kgs/54Vpaio)
Big Sandy, Montana, is a small town located in Chouteau County, within the “Golden Triangle” region of Montana, known for its wheat and barley production. With a population of 605 as of the 2020 census, the town spans an area of 0.48 square miles, all of which is land. Established in 1887 following the arrival of the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway, the town is named after the nearby Big Sandy Creek. The climate is semi-arid, and the area features unique landmarks such as the Big Bud 747, the world’s largest farm tractor, which returned to the town in 2020 after being displayed elsewhere. Additionally, Big Sandy is home to a skatepark built in 2010 by Jeff Ament, the bassist of Pearl Jam and a native of the town. It also houses the Big Sandy Montana Historical Society Museum and a branch of the Chouteau County Library, highlighting the town’s cultural and historical significance.
National Museum of the United States Air Force:
https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196408/convair-f-106a-delta-dart/
ASN:
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/158503
FAA/International Registration:
4K-AZ65
Year of Manufacture:
1958
SN/Military Registration/BUNO:
58-0787
NTSB:
n/a
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Dm9R8kkru/
X/Twitter (reports+videos):
https://x.com/OnDisasters/status/1753192945782513820
ADS-B Exchange:
n/a
FlightAware:
n/a
flightradar24:
n/a
AirNav.radar:
n/a
National Report(s):
n/a
Local Report(s):
n/a
Image Reference(s):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornfield_Bomber
https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196408/convair-f-106a-delta-dart/
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