Grostenquin, France
Crash of F-86 Sabre 23380

Location of crash site - 18 miles southeast of Workington, Cumbria and approximately five miles southwest of Buttermere village on a mountain called Iron Cragg, 2077 feet ASL - killing the pilot F/O Robert G Starling.

Details of crash - This RCAF F-86 Mk 6 Sabre was on a ferry flight from Prestwick, Scotland to Weathersfield, England.

Internment - F/O Robert G Starling. 216497, RCAF, Pilot - Buried: Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, UK. Canadian Annexe. Row B, Grave 2.

Situation as of August 2002 - This site was visited by David Earl in August 2002 and the wreckage remaining consisted mainly of wing, engine and undercarriage parts. In fact, apart from the tail-fin and part of one wing with the roundel and the Canadian insignia (now in the RAF Millom Museum) the wreckage in 2002 was the same as it was when he last visited the site in 1983. Oddly enough though, he was unable to find any cockpit, plexiglass, rail or ejector seat component parts.


Click on the description text to view the detail.
  1. The Iron Crag Sabre - 1983.
    Courtesy David Earl.

  2. Newspaper clipping from the Carlisle Journal - 30 June 1959.
    Courtesy David Earl.

  3. Visit to the Scene Soon After the Crash - 1959.
    Courtesy Geoff Bland.

  4. Map (1.25 inches to 10 miles) showing the general area of the crash site.
    "X" marks the spot.
    Courtesy David Earl.

  5. Map (1 inch to a mile) showing the exact area of the crash site.
    "X" marks the spot.
    Courtesy David Earl.



Click on the description text to view the photograph.
  1. This photo shows the location where the Sabre first hit at the top of the mountain - 23 August 2002.
    It then disintegrated down the moutainside.
    Courtesy David Earl.

  2. The remains of the combustion chamber - 23 August 2002.
    Courtesy David Earl.

  3. David Earl beside the remains of the turbine - 23 August 2002.
    Courtesy David Earl.

  4. Remains of the tail from the port side - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  5. Remains of the tail and the aircraft serial from the port side - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  6. Remains of the tail assembly - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  7. Remains of the tail from the starboard side - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  8. Remains of the wing and the Maple Leaf - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  9. Remains of the wing - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  10. Remains of the turbine - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  11. A close up view of the remains of the turbine - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  12. Remains of the port side rear fuselage - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  13. Remains of assorted parts - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  14. Remains of the upper fuselage near the combustion chambers - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  15. Remains of the nosewheel leg - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  16. Remains of the main undercarriage leg - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  17. Remains of the fuselage section - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  18. Remains of various engine parts - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  19. Remains of the combustion chamber cell - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  20. Remains of a circuit board - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.

  21. Remains of broken engine parts - 1983.
    Courtesy Peter Dobson.


Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.

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Updated: September 6, 2002