File A121-R-61-7970SR-71AArticle 2021
61-7970
SR-71A · Article 2021
Lost17 Jun 1970
No display location
Dots mark every surviving airframe
No photo on fileNo openly licensed photograph of this airframe is in the archive yet. If you took one or know of one, it can be added with your permission.
Record
61-7970
2021
SR-71A
Not published
Not confirmed
Lost
Destroyed
Career
- KC-135Q tanker 59-1474 survived and returned to Beale
How it was lost
Lost on 17 June 1970 about 20 miles east of El Paso, Texas, when it pitched up and collided with its KC-135Q tanker (59-1474) just after refuelling. Pilot Buddy L. Brown (both legs broken) and RSO Mortimer J. Jarvis ejected; the damaged tanker landed safely at Beale AFB.
In the chronology
| 17 Jun 1970 | SR-71A 61-7970 lost after tanker collision SENIOR CROWN During air refueling near El Paso, Texas, 61-7970 pitched up into its KC-135Q tanker and was lost. Pilot Buddy Brown and RSO Mort Jarvis ejected safely and the tanker recovered to Beale AFB. |
Where the record disagrees
Baugher places the crash near 'El Paso, NM', an error (El Paso is in Texas). Habu.org says Jarvis bailed out unharmed. First flight date and hours not found.
Sources
- SR-71 Online (sr-71.org), via Internet Archive. Blackbird Losses (archived copy). Open · In the register
- Habu.org. 61-7970 (Blackbird Photo Archive). Archived copy · In the register
- The SR-71 Blackbird (thesr71blackbird.com). SR-71A Blackbird #17970 / #2021. Open · Archived · In the register
- SR-71 Online (sr-71.org), via Internet Archive. SR-71 Locations (archived copy, lists serial / Lockheed article number and fate). Open · In the register