An F-4 Phantom’s Eye-to-Eye Encounter with a Pickup Truck, in Nevada’s Backcountry

By Maya Carlin

Perhaps one of the most revered airframes in U.S. military history is the F-4 Phantom.

When McDonnell Douglas first began development on the fighter-bomber in the 1950’s, the resulting Phantom quickly became one of the most formidable platforms in the post-World War II era.

The F-4 is notoriously known for its role in the Vietnam War, however, the fighter-bomber remained in service with the U.S. military for decades later.

Phantom pilots were uniquely trained to fly the airframe at extremely low altitudes, contributing to the fighter’s powerful reputation.

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One former F-4 pilot recalled a moment where he narrowly avoided striking a pickup truck on the road. David Storm recalled the tale in an interview with the Aviation Geek Club, narrating the events that would lead up to the near collision.