Crow Valley, Philippines VMFP-3 Mishap By: Lee R. De Haven Photographs below supplied by: Jeff Mattson Oct. 27, 1987 Cubi Point, Philippines Aircraft #153109/RF25 (Pilot) Capt. Huey D. Moser Jr. (RSO) 1Lt. Andrew C. Auer Cause: Photoflash cartridge did not eject from rack but fired, causing a fire. On 27 Oct. 1987, VMFP-3 Detachment Charlie was deployed to NAS Cubi Point, Philippines, to conduct Official Photo Missions and to participate in the latest multi-service Cope Thunder exercise. On 27 Oct. Shark Flight was scheduled for a Cope Thunder high speed, low reconnaissance mission over the Crow Valley Target Complex. Capt. Huey D. Moser Jr. Pilot/ 1Lt. Andrew C. Auer, RSO, manned up RF-4B 153109 (5,123 hours) modex RF25, with the call sign Shark 71. For this mission the RF-4B photoflash system, two ejector racks per side of the aircraft (potential total of 40 photoflash cartridges), were loaded with ten cartridges per rack with a vacant space between each cartridge. Shark Flight (71 & 72) took off from NAS Cubi Point and arrived at the over-water rendezvous point at 10:33 (likely Zulu time); at 10:39 the flight turned onto the low level portion of the mission. At point C the Flight split with Shark 71 proceeding north to the target area The execution portion of the photoflash run was video taped by two black & white range cameras as well as by two additional color video systems belonging to Range Control personnel. As Shark 71 entered the photoflash run the left side ejector raks fired normally; when the right side ejector racks began to fire seven cartridges fired normally; the eighth did not fire, remaining in the rack; the ninth cartridge fired normally; the tenth cartridge failed to eject from the rack. The 'fired but not ejected' cartridge exploded, causing a small pinhole leak in the Power ControlII (PCII) hydraulic system. The leak atomized and caught fire which in turn burned through the aileron rudder interconnect system wire bundle. Whenthe fire burned into/through the wire bundle an uncommand 5-10 degree instantaneous rudder input caught the aircrew by suprise. The aircrew immediately ejected, losing their helmets, oxygen masks and velcro covers from their SV-2 vests. After the aircrew ejected the aircraft continued to pitch up to almost 90 degrees and decelerate to zero airspeed at which time the aircraft fell away on the left wing to almost 90 degree nose down until impact with the ground. The crash occured 29 mi generally north from NAS Cubi Point. The Range Safety Monitor initiated the SAR recovery efforts immediately--the USAF SAR helicopter was on the site in under ten minutes. The aircrew was helolifted to Clark AB where they underwent the medical checks. Some 98% of the wreckage was recovered with the aft fuselage section transfered to the NARF depot for investigation of the photoflash malfunction. If you have any detailed information that you would like to add to any of the RF-4B mishap pages please feel free to drop me a line at the E-mail below info@rf4bphantom.com Recommended Screen Resolution 1024 x 768 Enable pop-ups to fully enjoy this site. This website is not affiliated with the U.S. Government or the United States Marine Corps in any way. This website is a copyright and the property of the Phabulous Phantom Productions and the information and photos gathered for this website are intended for the purpose of providing un-official information and entertainment for those interested in the history of Marine Corps RF-4B Squadrons and the RF-4B Phantom II aircraft.