F-86D Mid-Air Collision: An Aviation Story and Two Tragic Destinies

In this aviation story, we recount the events and the two men mainly involved in an F-86D Sabre Dog midair collision between two aircraft over Arizona in 1957. We then visit the crash site of one of those jet fighters on Mt. Lemmon, Arizona. In the second part of this video, we follow another aircraft accident of an F-4C Phantom fighter that is related to the F-86D events. In Part three, we also examine yet another aircraft incident of a B-57A Canberra related to the F-86D mid-air collision and also the F-4C crash.

The F-86D wreck site on Mt. Lemmon is still considered U.S. Military property. Removing any items without authorization is still a crime punishable by a fine/prison time.

Note: Major Gerrit “Gerry” Henry Van Vliet, Jr. was promoted to Lt. Colonel posthumously

Finally, we have a mini interview with members of the Southern Arizona Rescue Association (SARA) who also assisted in the F-86D wreck site visit.

Checkout my friends at the Southern Arizona Rescue Association (SARA)
SARA Main website: https://sarci.org/sara/
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Credits:
All film footage and still images are Public Domain from US Governmental and Military sources as well as other sites that provide copyright free materials – unless otherwise credited in the video and below.

Some images and film footage have been altered/transformed to best illustrate all the incidents within this episode using photo shop type software, AI software, or use of equivalent film/photo footage.

Other materials are utilized under Fair Use for purposes of Research, Education, and Commentary.

Attributable Photo/Image credits:
Air Defense Command Emblem (vectored) by 痛 is CC by 4.0 Attribution 4.0 International

Joseph J. Onate in car -- photo credit: Jack Sheaffer
Mt. Lemmon Mountain view of F-86D crash site -- photo credit: William Cook
Van Vliet drinking coffee; Onate holding parachute -- photo credit: Bernie Sedley
F-86D pilots and rescuers at campfire -- photo credit: William Cook
Pilot and SAR team hike out -- photo credit: Bernie Sedley
DM Pilots with USAF officials -- -- photo credit: None listed, Tucson Citizen Newspaper July 09, 1957
Park Ranger Peter Knagge looks at wreckage -- photo credit: Jack Sheaffer
F-86D External tank and wing -- photo credit: Jack Sheaffer

“Bass 2” F-4C Phantom II #63-7411 -- is provided courtesy of photographer Kevin Bell
“Bass 4” F-4C Phantom II #63-7463 – is provided courtesy of Clifford Bossie

Captain William Franklin Buhrman grave marker -- photo credit: Anne Cady
Major Gerritt “Gerry” Henry Van Vliet, Jr. grave marker -- photo credit: Judie Latshaw Huff
Lt. Colonel George Albert Lagarde, Jr. grave marker -- photo credit: Doug Lindsey

Music:
“Awkward Meeting - Supernatural Haunting” by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/