RF-4B Phantom II reconnaissance aircraft crash - GIF

[Altair]

McDonnell Douglas RF-4B Phantom II reconnaissance aircraft crash caused by a photo flash cartridge explosion inside the aircraft.




Previously:

B-2 Spirit stealth bomber crash - GIF
1973 Paris Air Show Tu-144 crash - GIF
Sknyliv air show disaster - GIF
Stearman biplane crash in Texas - GIF
Ilyushin Il-112 transport aircraft crash - GIF

[Inner]

The aircraft was lost on October 27, 1987, during a Cope Thunder exercise in Zambales, Philippines when a photo-flare cartridge failed to eject and exploded in the rear-fuselage flare dispenser, causing a major fire and rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. Captain Huey Moser and First Lieutenant Andrew Auer successfully ejected over the Crow Valley weapons range.

A bit more info in comments for video on YouTube:

[mlochala]

So glad the crew survived. Seems like they came awful close to being struck by the falling aircraft itself or landing in the burning wreckage.

[drivermark]

Good thing it wasn't an actual recon mission over hostile territory.