ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 158718
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| Date: | Wednesday 3 May 1972 |
| Time: | day |
| Type: |  Grumman A-6A Intruder |
| Owner/operator: | VMA(AW)-224 USMC |
| Registration: | 155709 |
| MSN: | I-435 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Location: | NW of Dong Hoi, Quang Binh Province, North Vietnam -
 Vietnam
|
| Phase: | Combat |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), off coast of Vietnam |
| USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), off coast of Vietnam | |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
A-6A Intruder BuNo. 155709/'NL-501' of VMA(AW)‑224, US Marine Corps, based on board the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). Lost on combat operations May 3 1972: The second Marine Corps Intruder lost from the Coral Sea failed to return from a daylight mission northwest of Dong Hoi. Aircraft's last reported position on radar was at approximate Coordinates: 17'48.59"N 107'29.57"E
The target was a bridge and 1st Lt Joseph William McDonald and Captain David Williams had completed their bombing run and had their leader in sight as they sped towards the coast. After the leader crossed the coast he searched for his wing man but could not see him nor could he be raised on radio. The cause of the loss of the aircraft is still unknown.
Visibility in the Tally Ho North Vietnam Route Pack One region was reduced due to haze and clouds. The potential for a midair collision between friendly aircraft operating low level at speeds up to 500 MPH existed at the time of the loss. It is possible that during the high speed exit of the target, 1st Lt McDonald collided with an Air Force Phantom that was lost about the same time, on the same day, in the Dong Hoi target area.
Since neither aircraft or crew members made a radio transmission at or during the time of each loss, no pilot reports or other supporting evidence was available to confirm or refute the possibility of a midair collision between the two strike aircraft from separate Services.
Captain Williams was initially posted as MIA, but was re-assessed as KIA with effect from February 26 1980. The remains of Capt Williams were returned from Vietnam and identified on 26 October 1989. 1st Lt McDonald was posted as MIA on May 3 1972: his remains have (to date) not been recovered or repatriated.
Sources:
1. A-6 Intruder Units of the Vietnam War By Rick Morgan
2. http://web.archive.org/web/20171103001143/http://www.ejection-history.org.uk:80/aircraft_by_type/a6_prowler.htm
3. http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries19.html
4. http://web.archive.org/web/20180422222159/http://www.millionmonkeytheater.com/A-6.html
5. http://www.mofak.com/Joseph_William_McDonald.htm_
6. http://www.usscoralsea.net/wall.php
7. http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/m/m172.htm
8. http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/36524/JOSEPH-W-MCDONALD
9. https://www.findagrave.com/page=gr&GRid=17933939
Images:
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 20-Aug-2013 09:01 | Uli Elch | Added |
| 20-Aug-2013 10:21 | Uli Elch | Updated [Date, Registration, Cn, Operator, Location, Narrative] |
| 24-Mar-2016 23:04 | Dr.John Smith | Updated [Time, Operator, Other fatalities, Location, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Narrative] |
| 08-Mar-2017 07:57 | Anon. | Updated [Photo, ] |
| 27-Dec-2019 22:00 | stehlik49 | Updated [Operator, Operator] |
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