590165-fire-1980.jpg 590165 Chappie JamesThumbnails590165 Over Tyndall590165 Chappie JamesThumbnails590165 Over Tyndall590165 Chappie JamesThumbnails590165 Over Tyndall590165 Chappie JamesThumbnails590165 Over Tyndall590165 Chappie JamesThumbnails590165 Over Tyndall
F-106B 59-0165 destroyed by ground fire on 27 Feb 1980. In 1976, 59-0165 was the personal aircraft of General "Chappie" James, CINC NORAD. The starter came apart and pieces of it ruptured the wing tank. Burning fuel drained down hill toward the front of the aircraft, predominantly on the port side. Pilots had to jump out the other side. They still got singed a little, as did the crew chief who ran to the flames to make sure the pilots hit the ground running in the right direction.

From Roger Kilpatrick 19 Jan 2010,
I was a Crew Chief at Tyndall on SIXES from 1966-1969. In Feb 1980, acft 165 caught fire on the ground and was destroyed. One of my nephews was assigned there at the time in the fire department. He was involved in trying to extinguish a fire on an acft I had worked on a dozen years earlier. I found that fact to be unique but most people don't think much of it. Anyway, the photo you posted 17 Jan of 2519 and 2529 cannibalized fuselages also show the tail section of 90165. I often wondered what was done with the remains of 165 after the fire investigation. I had assumed that it was probably dumped into the gulf for fish reefs. Your 57-2519 photo shows 165 remains were sent to CA! I learn new stuff everyday!
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