Crash of a Boeing B-52H-155-BW Stratofortress at Andersen AFB

Date & Time: May 19, 2016 at 0830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
60-0047
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Andersen - Andersen
MSN:
474412
YOM:
1960
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
796
Captain / Total hours on type:
387.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
420
Copilot / Total hours on type:
195
Circumstances:
On 19 May 2016, at 0832 hours local time (L), a B-52H, tail number 60-0047 [Mishap Aircraft (MA)], assigned to the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Wing, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, departed the prepared-surface overrun of Runway 06 Left (RWY 06L) during a highspeed, heavy-weight, aborted takeoff. The Mishap Crew (MC), which consisted of the Mishap Pilot (MP), Mishap Co-Pilot (MCP), Mishap Radar Navigator (MRN), Mishap Navigator (MN), Mishap Electronic Warfare Officer (MEW), an augment pilot occupying the Mishap Gunner (MG) station, and an Instructor Weapon System Officer occupying the Mishap Instructor Pilot (MIP) jump seat, were conducting a Higher Headquarters Directed mission. The MC were treated for minor injuries consistent with a ground egress. The MA sustained total damage with a loss valued at $112M. There was no damage to private property. The MC were cleared for takeoff at 0831L. The MA accelerated within performance standards verified by takeoff and landing data calculated performance for S1 timing and S1 decision speed. Approximately three to five seconds after reaching the S1 speed of 111 knots, the MP, MCP, and MN observed birds in front of the MA at wing level. Shortly thereafter, the MP and MCP observed engine indications for numbers 5, 6, and 7 “quickly spooling back” from the required takeoff setting. The MP also observed high oil pressure indications on the number 8 engine and a noticeable left-to-right yawing motion. Accelerating through approximately 142 knots, the MP simultaneously announced and initiated aborted takeoff emergency procedures. With the throttles set to idle thrust and airbrakes set to six, the MP initiated continuous braking pressure. The MCP deployed the drag chute at 135 knots. The drag chute failed to inflate properly. At 2,500 feet runway remaining, the MP shut off the outboard engines (numbers 1/2 and 7/8). Shortly thereafter, the MP announced the MA and MC were going to depart the prepared surface. The MEW jettisoned the defensive compartment, starboard-side hatch and the MP shut off the inboard engines (numbers 3/4 and 5/6). The MA departed the prepared surface shearing the main landing gear. The MA finally came to a rest slightly canted from runway centerline, right wing down approximately 300 feet from the runway, and subsequently caught on fire. The MC performed emergency aircraft shutdown procedures and safely egressed the MA through the MEW hatch.
Probable cause:
The Accident Investigation Board (AIB) President found by a preponderance of the evidence the cause of the mishap was the MP analyzed visual bird activity and perceived cockpit indications as a loss of symmetric engine thrust required to safely attain flight and subsequently applied abort procedures after S1 timing. The AIB President also found by a preponderance of the evidence the following factors substantially contributed to the mishap: drag chute failure on deployment and exceeding brake-energy limits resulting in brake failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-52H-155-BW Stratofortress off Guam Island: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 21, 2008 at 0945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
60-0053
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Andersen AFB - Andersen AFB
MSN:
464418
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
Raider 21
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Andersen AFB on a flight around the Guam Island under call sign 'Raider 21' with 6 crew members on board, taking part to the Guam Liberation Day celebrations. About 15 minutes into the flight, while descending from 14,000 to 1,000 feet, the aircraft became uncontrollable and crashed in the sea about 50 km north of Guam Island. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and only few debris were found. All six crew members were killed.
Crew:
Maj Chris Cooper, pilot,
Cpt Michael Dodson, copilot,
1st Lt Robert Gerren, electronic warfare officer,
1st Lt Joshua Shepherd, navigator,
Maj Brent Williams, radar navigator,
Col George Martin, flight surgeon.
Probable cause:
Malfunctioning parts and late recognition of spiraling problems likely led to the fatal crash of a B-52H Stratofortress in July, an Air Force accident investigation board concluded in a report issued Feb. 13. The problem parts, investigators decided, were the bomber’s rear stabilizers — the large horizontal fins at the jet’s tail that help angle the B-52H up or down. Although the inquiry could not determine what led to the stabilizer problem, the board said it believed the stabilizers malfunctioned while the bomber was in a fast descent from 14,000 feet to 1,000 feet. “Even an experienced aircrew could have found it difficult to recognize, assess and recover from the very rapidly developing situation involving the rear stabilizer trim,” board president Brig. Gen. Mark Barrett concluded. The bomber did not carry a flight data recorder, so the investigation team pieced together events leading up to the crash from air traffic control radar information and from parts recovered from the ocean floor by remote-controlled Navy submarines. One recovered part was a component called a jackscrew that helps control the stabilizers. The jackscrew revealed the stabilizer trim was set at 4.5 to 5 degrees nose down, but parts that could have helped determine why the stabilizers were pointed down were not recovered. Based on flight simulations, the investigative team determined the flight was normal until the jet turned left and began to descend about 33 miles west of Guam. As the 48-year-old bomber dove toward the Pacific at a speed of more than 240 mph, the stabilizers suddenly unhinged, putting the jet into a dive with the nose pointed down 30 degrees and more. One of the pilots likely tried to level the stabilizers manually using a control wheel in the cockpit that moves the stabilizer 1 degree every two to three seconds, the report said. However, because the plane was already low, there wasn’t enough time to level the stabilizers. At least three crew members tried to bail out seconds before the plane hit the water, but the plane’s speed, altitude and angle already were past the point where they could survive the ejection.

Crash of a Boeing B-52D-10-BW Stratofortress off Andersen AFB: 4 killed

Date & Time: Dec 12, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
55-0058
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Andersen - Andersen
MSN:
464010
YOM:
1955
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a night training mission out from Andersen AFB, Guam. While returning the airbase, control was lost and the airplane crashed into the sea about seven miles southeast of the airfield. Four crew members were killed while two others were rescued. The aircraft sank and was lost.
Crew:
Cpt Stephen R. Roseman, pilot, †
Jack Watson, copilot,
Robert W. Nemeth, †
Cpt Leroy E. Pitman, †
John Y. Whitley, †
Brad Lee Buske.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of a malfunction of the gyros after the electrical system failed.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules in Agana: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1974 at 2100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
62-1841
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Andersen - Agana
MSN:
3804
YOM:
1963
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The crew departed Andersen AFB on a night training flight. While approaching Agana-Antonio Borja Won Pat Airport, the instructor shut down both engines n°3 & 4 and continued the approach when the airplane lost height and landed hard on runway. On impact, all tires on the right main gear burst. Out of control, the airplane veered off runway to the right, went through the apron, collided with a parked fighter then came to rest in flames against an embankment. The aircraft was destroyed and all six crew members were killed.

Crash of a Boeing B-52G-80-BW Stratofortress near Nakhon Phanom

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
57-6481
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Andersen - Nakhon Phanom
MSN:
464186
YOM:
1957
Flight number:
Brass 02
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Andersen AFB on Guam Island under call sign Brass 02 with six crew members on board, taking part to the Linebacker II mission over Vietnam. While flying over Hanoi, the airplane was hit by enemy fire (SA-2 surface to air missile). The crew was able to leave the target area and to fly to Thailand but eventually, all six crew members were forced to abandon the aircraft that crashed about 16 km southwest of Nakhon Phanom. The aircraft was destroyed while all six crew members survived.
Crew:
Cpt John Ettinger, pilot,
Cpt Lawrence A. Casazza, pilot,
Maj Charles E. Archie, copilot,
1st Lt Robert A. Clement, radio navigator,
Cpt Silverio A. Barroqueiro, navigator,
T/Sgt George H. Schryer, EWO.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Boeing B-52G-110-BW Stratofortress near Nam Phong AFB

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
58-0246
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Andersen - Nam Phong
MSN:
464314
YOM:
1958
Flight number:
Preach 02
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Andersen AFB on Guam Island under call sign Preach 02 with seven crew members on board, taking part to the Linebacker II mission over Vietnam. While flying over Kinh No in Vietnam, the airplane was hit by enemy fire (SA-2 surface to air missile). The crew was able to leave the area bound for Nam Phong Airbase in Thailand but was eventually forced to abandon the aircraft and to bail out. The airplane dove into the ground and crashed in an isolated area located about 30 km southwest of Nam Phong and was totally destroyed. All seven crew members were found alive and evacuated.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Boeing B-52G-130-BW Stratofortress off Andersen AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 8, 1972 at 0525 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
59-2600
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
464363
YOM:
1959
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a military mission to Vietnam and departed Andersen Air Base in Guam by night. While climbing in poor weather conditions, the airplane became unstable. The pilot-in-command elected to stabilize the airplane making a level off but eventually, the crew decided to abandon the aircraft and bailed out. Out of control, the aircraft crashed into the sea and was destroyed. Few hours later, five crew members were found and evacuated. Unfortunately, a six occupant (Lt Col James Lloyd Vaughan) was missing. His dead body was found 42 days later on a beach on Yap Island.
Probable cause:
It was determined that an improperly secured chin radome flew off during initial climb, causing the aircraft to become unstable. When the chin radome detached, it struck the Pitot tubes, causing wrong datas to be transmitted to the instruments. The airplane was leveled off and allowed to decelerate into a stabilized low-speed stall before being abandoned.

Crash of a Boeing B-52D-80-BO Stratofortress at Andersen AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 27, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-0630
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
17313
YOM:
1956
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the right wing separated. The airplane crashed back onto the runway, went out of control and crashed in flames. All six crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Edward William Wyatt, pilot,
Cpt John Anthony Albasio, copilot,
Cpt Donald Joseph Maccio, navigator,
Cpt Edward Anthony Miskowski, radio navigator,
1st/Lt Gary Paul Leach, EWO,
T/Sgt Clinton Eugene Tibbetts, air gunner.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the right wing separated from the fuselage due to a structural failure.

Crash of a Boeing B-52D-75-DO Stratofortress off Andersen AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 10, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-0593
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
17276
YOM:
1956
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Shortly after a night takeoff from Andersen AFB, while climbing to a low height, the pilot-in-command initiated a turn to the right when control was lost. The airplane crashed into the sea few dozen yards offshore and disintegrated on impact. All six crew members were killed. They were enroute to Vietnam.
Crew:
Cpt Larry Ivan Broadhead, pilot,
1st Lt Maurice Edward Lundy, copilot,
Cpt James L. Sipes, navigator,
Cpt Russell L. Platt, radio navigator,
1st Lt Thomas R. McCormick, EWO,
M/Sgt Harold B. Deel, air gunner.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the assumption that the loss of control was the consequence of a gyrocompas intermittent malfunction was not ruled out as well as a structural failure.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A on Wake Island: 11 killed

Date & Time: Sep 24, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
55-3133
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Andersen - Hickam - Loring
MSN:
17249
YOM:
1957
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Aircraft flight hours:
6681
Circumstances:
En route from Andersen AFB (GUam Island) to Hickam, Honolulu, the crew reported engine problems and the captain decided to divert to Wake Island Airport. On short final, the aircraft was too low and struck approach lights. On impact, the empennage was torn off and the aircraft crashed in flames. Eleven passengers were killed while 45 other occupants were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine problems in flight.