After nearly five decades, the mystery surrounding a missing jet has finally been solved. The wreckage of an F-4 Phantom jet that vanished in 1971 has been found at the bottom of Lake Champlain.
The discovery comes as a result of an underwater search expedition by a team of divers, who had been searching for the missing aircraft since August. The jet was reportedly on a training mission when it disappeared without any trace.
According to reports, the jet took off from Burlington International Airport in Vermont on November 24, 1971, and was headed towards the Atlantic Ocean for a training exercise. However, it never made it to its destination and disappeared from radar.
The missing jet sparked a massive search operation involving multiple agencies, but no trace of the aircraft or its two pilots were ever found. The case remained unsolved for years until now.
The team of divers who discovered the wreckage described it as being in “remarkably good condition” despite being underwater for almost five decades. They also noted that the jet had sustained significant damage upon impact with the water.
Further investigations revealed that the jet’s cockpit canopy was open at the time of the crash, indicating that the pilots had attempted to eject before impact. However, their ejection seats were never deployed.
The cause of the crash is still unknown, but experts believe it could have been due to mechanical failure or pilot error. The two pilots, identified as Major Josef Labbe and Captain Ralph Boleyn, were both experienced pilots with over 800 flight hours each.
This discovery brings closure to the families of the missing pilots who have been waiting for answers for almost 50 years. It also serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by military personnel in training exercises and the sacrifices they make for their country.
The wreckage of the F-4 Phantom jet will be recovered from Lake Champlain and preserved as a memorial to the two missing pilots. The investigation into the crash will also continue in hopes of shedding more light on this tragic event that occurred almost half a century ago.
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