Sculthorpe, England

This site is dedicated to the career of Colonel Robert R. Mendonca - USAF
The links below are different deployments with photos.

Home     Hondo, Texas     Sculthorpe, England     Korat, Thailand    

While in Sculthorpe, Dad had an engine explode while revving up to full throttle while preparing for take off. Below are 25 official USAF photos that document this accident. If the engine had exploded moments later while the plane was zooming down the runway it could have been tragic. Close call and pretty scary...

(above) Firefighters examine the scene - yikes!

(above) More examining the scene.

(above) More examining the scene.

(above) More examining the scene.

(above) View from right side of plane.

(above) More examining the scene.

(above) Under wing.

(above) From front left.

(above) View from rear after being towed off runway.

(above) Right engine damage - rear view.

(above) Right engine damage - front view.

(above) Fuselage punctured from debris thrown from exploding jet engine.

(above) Damaged wiring from thrown debris?

(above) Right wing damage from debris.

(above) Damage to landing gear door.

(above) Fuselage damage.

(above) Engine on hangar floor.

(above) Engine on hangar floor.

(above) Shredded jet engine fan blades.

(above) Shredded jet engine fan blades.

(above) Broken jet engine parts

(above) Broken engine parts

(above) Hydraulic lines?

(above) Broken jet engine parts strewn about on the floor

(above) Fractured engine parts strewn about the hangar floor