Warbird Information Exchange

Stumbled across an AD-5 Skyraider that ditched on January 31, 1957, after experiencing a catastrophic engine failure. We were able to track down the family and got the full story. The pilot, Richard McCombs, would switch to flying helicopters after this incident and being impressed by the chopper aircrew that plucked him from the water...

https://youtu.be/-tpEh49YPXM

Enjoy!

Cheers,
Mike

Based on the report excerpt in the video, the airplane was only minimally damaged, so the condition it's in today is most likely due to storms. There's a former Russian destroyer sunk as a dive site in the Caymans that was torn in half from storms; it's hard to comprehend the violence required to accomplish that. A quick google didn't reveal the AD-5's BuNo, hope that comes out.

Ken

_________________
"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

BuNo 132642

Thanks Michael, that puts her in good company. Bernie Fisher's Medal of Honor A-1 is 132649 and Baugher's summary of this production group shows that most of these straight-5's went to Vietnam. Interestingly, he does not record this airplane, if any of you are in touch with him.

Ken

_________________
"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."