| Date: 6 October 1966 |
| Aircraft type: F-8E Crusader |
| Serial Number: 150924 |
| Military Unit: VF-162 |
| Service: USN |
| Home Base: USS Oriskany |
| Name(s): |
| Lt Richard Daniel Leach (Survived) |
| A Crusader (call sign Super Heat 201) from VF-162 was flying as escort to one of Oriskany’s VFP-63 aircraft on a photographic reconnaissance mission over Hon Gay harbour and the surrounding area. The escort pilot was startled when his low fuel warning light suddenly came on. At this point he should have had plenty of fuel left but the aircraft was obviously leaking badly. The two aircraft immediately headed out to sea towards a waiting tanker but Lt Leach’s aircraft ran out of fuel some 70 miles south of Hon Gay before he could refuel. He ejected and was picked up by a Navy helicopter. This Crusader had been flown by Cdr Hal Marr of VF-211 on 12 June 1966 when he shot down two MiG-17s. |
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