14 November 1969 – F-4E

The 32^nd lost its first F-4E Phantom (68-0422) on 14 November 1969.

This Friday morning three Soesterberg Phantoms left for a training mission to Aviano AB, Italy. The pilot of the 68-0422 was Captain John J. Rabeni, his WSO was Major Donald A. Bowie. The flight arrived around 11:00 Zulu time near a rainy and foggy Aviano. Arriving at Aviano, the 68-0422 was the second F-4 in sequence for landing. The first landing Phantom had problems and ended up in the barrier. At that moment the 68-0422 was approximately 9 miles on final approach and was given instructions to turn heading 190 and climb to 2,500. The F-4, although it was low on fuel, was handed over to nearby Istrana AB. The third F-4 was told to follow the flightpath of the 68-0422, but was soon informed that Aviano’s runway had been cleared and that he could make a fullstop at Aviano.
In the meantime the 68-0422 was on approach at Istrana, but suddenly communications with Istrana were lost. After a short while Aviano GCA told the crew that they were beyond Istrana and only 35 miles from Aviano. GCA asked if the F-4 would prefer to return to Aviano and it was vectored to Aviano’s final approach. But with the runway in sight, the planed flamed out and crashed only 1 mile short of the runway. Both crew members ejected safely.