Aiken | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The pilot requested an instrument approach to the airport and advised approach control (a/c) that he did not have an approach plate for the airport. A/c cleared the aircraft for an NDB approach to runway 24 and read the approach information to the pilot. When the pilot reported procedure turn inbound a/c advised the pilot he was approx 4 miles south of the final approach course and gave him a new heading to correct back to the airport. Radar contact was then lost over the airport but reappeared approx 1/2 mile west of the airport and appeared to be making a turn back to the airport. The wreckage was found about 4 miles west of the airport. Both occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Occurrence #1: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: missed approach (IFR)
Findings
1. (f) preflight planning/preparation - inadequate - pilot in command
2. (f) preflight briefing service - not obtained - pilot in command
3. (f) weather condition - fog
4. (f) weather condition - low ceiling
5. (c) IFR procedure - improper - pilot in command
6. (c) missed approach - not followed - pilot in command

Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing B-52G-85-BW Stratofortress near Aiken: 3 killed

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress

Operator:

Registration:

57-6493

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Seymour Johnson - Seymour Johnson

MSN:

464198

YOM:

1957

Location:

Aiken

South Carolina

Country:

United States of America

Region:

North America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew departed Seymour Johnson for a routine training mission. While cruising at an altitude of 28,000 feet, a structural failure occurred in the right wing that partially detached and struck the horizontal stabilizer. Out of control, the airplane entered a dive and four of the seven crew members were able to eject and were later found alive. The aircraft crashed between Aiken and Williston and disintegrated. Debris scattered on a wide area and three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt James A. Perry,
Cpt Donald Exum,
Cpt Gregory A. Watts,
2nd Lt Hector M. Marquez,
Sgt Ricky K. Griffith, †
1st Lt Melvin M. Bewley, †
1st Lt Grady E. Rudolph. †

Probable cause:

A major fuel leak caused a structural failure of the right wing that separated between the third & fourth engine nacelles. The wing then shearing off the horizontal stabilizer, causing the aircraft to be uncontrollable.