9 February 1974 – Two USAF Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs with the 457th TFTW out of Carswell AFB, TX, are involved in a mid-air collision, downing one aircraft less than a mile from Holliday, TX.
1st Lt. Hayes C. Kirby in F-105D-10-RE, 60-5375, had a violent pitch up and roll in the aircraft and hit his leader in F-105D-10-RE, 60-0513. One pilot ejected in a flat spin, suffering a broken right leg upon landing, and was recovered by helicopter. The second F-105 recovered to Carswell despite damage with the pilot uninjured.
Hayes C. Kirby flew F-100s, F-104s, F-16s, and F-105s. He “Headed West” in 2009. For more info on Kirby’s long aviation career go to https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/houstonchronicle/obituary.aspx?n=hays-corbett-kirby&pid=137388481