1970 F-4 Blue Angels Crash In Iowa Options

[Nate Burrows]

I only know little information about this incident with the Blue Angels in 1970 at KCID (cedar Rapids) from all the different storys i've heard that are "He foregot to put the gear down" or "It got stuck in afterburner" well i dont think i'll ever know what really happend but i saw this pic first at a Dairy Queen and then found it on a website

http://www.alexisparkinn.com/Photogallery2...0OoopsinCID.jpg

I have a email somewhere telling me what happend from a different person who was there.

[Nate Burrows]

Heres the email

was at the air show. The actual time period was late summer 1970. The
pilot failed to lower his landing gear, and the F4 skidded down the
runway. He ejected after he cleared the crowd, and the jet ended up in
a field. No one was hurt. The plane was brought back to the local FBO,
and sat on top of oil drums for several weeks.

[RDanielson]

I was there. The weather was bad that day and the Blues were restricted to the low show. Seeing number 4 (Lt Ernie Christensen) come in with the gear up, I thought he was making a low pass. He went to burner just before touchdown and was trying to get the thing back airborne, but gave it up as the end of the runway approached. I remember the heat of the fire as it went by. I was mid field against the snow fence. An older lady standing next to me asked if they ended every show that way. A few years later I was flying the F-4 myself in the Air Force and eventually logged 2000 hours in the C/D and E models.

[ernie]

I was there. The weather was bad that day and the Blues were restricted to the low show. Seeing number 4 (Lt Ernie Christensen) come in with the gear up, I thought he was making a low pass. He went to burner just before touchdown and was trying to get the thing back airborne, but gave it up as the end of the runway approached. I remember the heat of the fire as it went by. I was mid field against the snow fence. An older lady standing next to me asked if they ended every show that way. A few years later I was flying the F-4 myself in the Air Force and eventually logged 2000 hours in the C/D and E models.

Just saw your post. I was in the airplane that day. Up to that point the show was pretty boring (flat show). I certainly livened it up.

- The reason I didn't reply before - just saw the posts. /Ernie Christensen

[kick Z tail out]

An older lady standing next to me asked if they ended every show that way.

Ernie, glad you were okay. And a salute to a former Blue!

[draven]

Up to that point the show was pretty boring (flat show). I certainly livened it up.

I laughed out loud at this! Glad to see you here!

[ernie]

I laughed out loud at this! Glad to see you here!

Without going into too much further detail on a one of the most different days of my aviation career: I brought my Carrier (USS Ranger) back into San Diego after spending Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf and in that first week, hosted the national Mayors conference of 1991.
On the podium during lunch on the first day of the conference, an older gentleman leans into me on the dais and says: " Son of a bitch. The last time I saw you was August the 30th of 1970. You put on one hell of an air show. I was the Mayor of Cedar Rapids then and I'm still the Mayor of Cedar Rapids. You have to be the last son of a bitch I ever thought I would see again . . ." /Ernie

[Nick Morris]

There's a video of this crash on the Threshold Blue Angels video.

[MikeS]

Ernie - Very cool that you'd post and share these little humorous moments. We're looking forward to hearing/reading whatever else you might be willing to share with us. Again - Thanks for sharing!

[Nate Burrows]

Man i dont even know who the mayor of cedar rapids was in 1991. plus i was only 1. Ernie great to see you here. My Dad still talks about Cedair when you belly landed.

[Mike Jorgensen]

Hey Ernie, thanks for replying with such humour
It's great to get your perspective on this !!

[vapor069]

There's a video of this crash on the Threshold Blue Angels video.

Is there a link for this?

[Nick Morris]

Is there a link for this?

Nope. Gotta go to the store and pick up the VHS of Blue Angels:Threshold Experience.

[Rjel]

Nope. Gotta go to the store and pick up the VHS of Blue Angels:Threshold Experience.

It's a great film. A little dated maybe music wise, but a great video. I've transfered my VHS copy to DVD recently. I still kick myself for not buying a laserdisc copy when I had the chance.

[hishow]

It's a great film. A little dated maybe music wise, but a great video. I've transfered my VHS copy to DVD recently. I still kick myself for not buying a laserdisc copy when I had the chance.

Is there Phantom and Skyhawk footage in this video?

[HackerF15E]

It's a great film. A little dated maybe music wise, but a great video. I've transfered my VHS copy to DVD recently. I still kick myself for not buying a laserdisc copy when I had the chance.

Are you kidding?? The music is great...in a terribly cheesy 1970 way. Overall a fantastic movie that I wish someone would put on DVD.

[blueangelsfan]

Is there Phantom and Skyhawk footage in this video?

F-4 only

[hishow]

F-4 only

Thanks.

[Rjel]

Nope. Gotta go to the store and pick up the VHS of Blue Angels:Threshold Experience.

Actually, the title is Threshold: The Blue Angels Experience.

[Steven Holzinger]

I actually have a copy of it (was on the same tape as that Thunderbirds video I uploaded) and considered uploading it to YouTube, but it isn't worth it (quality isn't as good as I thought).