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Crash of a McDonnell Douglas C-17A Globemaster III at Elmendorf AFB: 4 killed
Date & Time:
Jul 28, 2010 at 1822 LT
Operator:
Registration:
00-0173
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Elmendorf AFB - Elmendorf AFB
MSN:
P-73
YOM:
2000
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a training exercise in preparation to the 'Thunder Air Show' taking part at Elmendorf-Richardson AFB on 31JUL2010. Shortly after take off from runway 06, the pilot-in-command initiated a first turn to the left then a steep turn to the right when the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a huge explosion in a wooded area located some 3 km northwest of the airbase. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The board president found clear and convincing evidence that the cause of the mishap was pilot error. The pilot violated regulatory provisions and multiple flight manual procedures, placing the aircraft outside established flight parameters at an attitude and altitude where recovery was not possible. Furthermore, the copilot and safety observer did not realize the developing dangerous situation and failed to make appropriate inputs. In addition to multiple procedural errors, the board president found sufficient evidence that the crew on the flight deck ignored cautions and warnings and failed to respond to various challenge and reply items. The board also found channelized attention, overconfidence, expectancy, misplaced motivation, procedural guidance, and program oversight substantially contributed to the mishap.
Crash of a Boeing E-3B Sentry at Elmendorf AFB: 24 killed
Date & Time:
Sep 22, 1995 at 0747 LT
Operator:
Registration:
77-0354
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Elmendorf - Elmendorf
MSN:
21554
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
Yukla 27
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
The aircraft was dispatched out from Elmendorf AFB on an AWACS survey mission under call sign Yukla 27, carrying 20 passengers and four crew members. Shortly after takeoff from runway 05, while in initial climb, the aircraft collided with a flock of Canada geese that struck both left engines n°1 and 2. The aircraft climbed to a maximum height of about 250 feet when the engine n°1 failed and the engine n°2 exploded. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled left roll, causing the left wing to struck trees. Out of control, it crashed in a huge explosion in a wooded area located about a mile from the runway end. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 24 occupants were killed. Numerous dead geese were found at the crash site.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control and subsequent crash was the consequence of a collision with Canada geese during initial climb. Investigations revealed that a USAF Lockheed C-130 just took off from the same runway about two minutes prior to the accident. At that time, numerous geese were standing near the runway end and were probably disturbed by the C-130 low pass. All geese took off and remained hovering at low height. This phenomenon was spotted by the tower controller who failed to warn the Sentry crew accordingly. It was also determined that there was no efficient program to detect and deter bird hazard at Elmendorf AFB.
