Death of a Delta Dart pilot

Arlo · 09-03-21, 10:01 AM

On this date; September 3rd 1979 – Two Convair F-106 Delta Darts of the 186th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 120th Fighter-Interceptor Group, Montana Air National Guard, out of Great Falls Airport, approached the town of Dillon, Montana at low altitude for a pair of a flyovers in in conjunction with the town's Labor Day parade.

One Delta Dart, F-106A-70-CO, 57-2458, c/n 8-24-41, piloted by Capt. Joel Rude, clipped a grain elevator with his port wing. Ejection was unsuccessful and Capt. Rude was killed. Forty parade onlookers were injured by debris and fire. Thankfully there were no fatalities on the ground.
On 7 September 2009, a commemorative plaque was dedicated in the town of Dillon in Capt. Joel Rude's memory.

(via Sierrahotel.net)

tmccarthy · 09-04-21, 03:53 AM

Interesting, looking at that picture I wondered if the lead pilot might have 'flown" his wingman into the grain elevator. Doesn't look like it was the wingman in this picture.

09-03-21, 10:01 AM	#1
Arlo The Old Man Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,304 Downloads: 214 Uploads: 0	Death of a Delta Dart pilot On this date; September 3rd 1979 – Two Convair F-106 Delta Darts of the 186th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 120th Fighter-Interceptor Group, Montana Air National Guard, out of Great Falls Airport, approached the town of Dillon, Montana at low altitude for a pair of a flyovers in in conjunction with the town's Labor Day parade. One Delta Dart, F-106A-70-CO, 57-2458, c/n 8-24-41, piloted by Capt. Joel Rude, clipped a grain elevator with his port wing. Ejection was unsuccessful and Capt. Rude was killed. Forty parade onlookers were injured by debris and fire. Thankfully there were no fatalities on the ground. On 7 September 2009, a commemorative plaque was dedicated in the town of Dillon in Capt. Joel Rude's memory. (via Sierrahotel.net) __________________ -Arlo

09-04-21, 03:53 AM	#2
tmccarthy Admiral Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,302 Downloads: 270 Uploads: 16	Interesting, looking at that picture I wondered if the lead pilot might have 'flown" his wingman into the grain elevator. Doesn't look like it was the wingman in this picture. __________________