Country
Crash of a Lockheed C-5B Galaxy at Dover AFB
Date & Time:
Apr 3, 2006 at 0642 LT
Operator:
Registration:
84-0059
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dover – Ramstein – Koweït City
MSN:
500-0083
YOM:
1986
Crew on board:
14
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Dover AFB at 0621LT on a flight to Kuwait City with an intermediate stop at Ramstein Airbase, Germany, carrying 17 people, three passengers and 14 crew members. Ten minutes into the flight, the copilot informed ATC about technical problems and was cleared for an immediate return. On final approach to runway 32, the aircraft descended below the glide and impacted ground few hundred metres short of runway. It came to rest in a prairie, broken in three. All 17 occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Based on clear and convincing evidence, the Board President determined the primary cause of the mishap was the pilots' and flight engineers' failure to use the number three, fully operational, engine; the instructor's and primary flight engineer's failure to brief, and the pilots' failure to consider or utilize a 62.5 or 40% flap setting (instead of a 100% flap setting); and the pilots' attempt at a visual approach to runway 32, descending well below a normal glidepath for an instrument-aided approach or the normal VFR pattern altitude of 1,800 ft. There is substantial evidence that a contributing factor to this mishap was MP1's failure to give a complete approach briefing, in that, nonstandard factors, configuration, landing distance, and missed approach intentions were not addressed.
Crash of a Lockheed C-5A Galaxy at Ramstein AFB: 13 killed
Date & Time:
Aug 29, 1990 at 0034 LT
Operator:
Registration:
68-0228
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ramstein - Dhahran
MSN:
500-0031
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
13
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Ramstein AFB on a flight to Dhahran, carrying medical supplies, food and various equipment for US troops based in Saudi Arabia. Following a night takeoff from runway 27, while at a height of about 50-100 feet at a speed of 161 knots, the aircraft stopped climbing and started rolling to the left. The left wing struck pine trees, causing the engine n°1 to be torn off. Out of control, the airplane lost height and crashed in a wooded area located about one km past the runway end. Four occupants were seriously injured while 13 others were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the thrust reverser on engine n°1 inadvertently deployed shortly after liftoff due to technical issue.
