The left wing attachment points of this Northrop F-89C-30-NO Scorpion, 51-5781, failded during a fly-by at the Inaternational Aviation Exposition, Detroit, Michigan, 30 August 1952. (U.S. Air Force)
Northrop F-89C-30-NO Scorpion 51-5781, inflight breakup, Detroit, 30 August 1952
I was a spectator at that show, but only 6 years old, so didn’t really understand what was going on. My father was an air traffic controller at the field and left us to go see if he was needed. The only thing I remember from that day was all the commotion after the incident, and all the kids in the neighborhood talking about it afterwards. I do remember some talk about the wreck ending up near the air national guard ammo dump, but that might have just been kids talking.
20 mm ammo from the crashed Scorpion did go off. Contemporary newspaper reports said that the airplane crashed between railroad tracks and willow Run Expressway. No mention of ammunition dump.
I had nightmares for 50 years after seeing the F89 fall apart in the air over my Dad’s car. We were waiting in line, entering the parking lot to watch the airshow. I was only 8 years old and still small enough to lay on the package tray, and look out the back window up at the 2 fighter jets flying over the car when suddenly a section of the wing broke off and hit the tail section. The plane started shaking as it came down over the grand stands. I’m telling this to my dad as all this is taking place, and he simply said it’s part of the air show, Michael. As the plane managed to stay above the crowd as it passed over. I could see the pilot looking down at the crowd. It manage somehow to stay in the air and crashed in the parking lot to our right. It was horrific. I couldn’t believe what just took place in front of my eyes. A moment after, the announcer spoke with a Quivering voice saying.
That the pilot could’ve ejected, but he stayed with the plane to keep it from hitting the crowd. That pilot was my friend. I’ll never forget that day but at least I stopped having nightmares.