Leon – Crash Summary

A/C Leon F. Murphy

Born: Sept. 26, 1932           Elma, Iowa.
Died: Dec. 17, 1953            Bryan AFB, Navasota, Texas
Age 21

Loss of Control from Structural Failure

Leon was receiving his first flight in a jet as part of his pilot training. The pilot was demonstrating a high speed, low altitude flight. Vibrations from the low altitude turbulence caused part of a gun access door to come off and damage the stabilizer. Out of control, the jet crashed and burned, killing both men.

(A/C in Leon’s rank indicates Aviation Cadet).

Crash report information is from www.AviationArchaeology.com . Some pages, after copying from micro fiche, were difficult to read and are supplied in triplicate. The original copy, plus a lighter and a darker copy. Some readers will find one or the other easier to view. The report is presented as received.