Robins AFB

Southern Air Transport’s LOGAIR 15 flight, a Lockheed L-382G, was cleared for takeoff from Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, on an instrument flight plan to Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, at about 0405 on October 4, 1986. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There were three flightcrew members aboard the military contracted domestic cargo flight operating under 14 CFR Part 121. All communications with the air traffic control tower were routine. Radar recorded that the airplane reached an altitude of about 700 feet above ground level. Witnesses reported an abnormally steep climb attitude. followed by a turn and/or bank to the left, after which the airplane continued to roll to the left and struck the ramp area at about a 90° angle to the departure runway in a near-inverted attitude between two hangars and exploded. A severe ground fire ensued. All three flightcrew members were killed.

On final approach to Robins AFB, the four engine aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames short of runway 32 threshold. One occupant survived while five others were killed.

The crew was conducting a cargo flight from Brookley AFB (Mobile, Florida) to Robins AFB, Georgia. While cruising over the gulf of Mexico, the crew encountered very poor weather conditions. In thunderstorm activity, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea off Pensacola. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.

Upon landing, the heavy bomber went out of control and came to rest, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by fire and all five crew members escaped unhurt.

The heavy bomber departed Robins AFB at 0830LT on a test flight part of the Project 'Banshee', carrying 8 crew members and five engineers, all civilians. About an hour into the flight, the engine n°1 caught fire and two others lost power. Instruction was given to abandon the airplane and four occupants were able to bail out before the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in an open field located south of Waycross. All nine people who remained on board were killed while all four people who bailed out were rescued.
Crew:
Cpt Ralph Erwin, pilot, †
2nd Lt Herbert W. Moore, copilot,
2nd Lt Earl Murrhee, flight engineer,
1st Lt Lawrence Pence Jr., navigator, †
Sgt Walter Peny, left scanner,
Sgt Jack York, right scanner, †
Sgt Melvin Walker, radio operator, †
Sgt Derwood Irvin, bomb aimer. †
Passengers:
Al Palya, †
Robert Reynolds, †
William Brauner, †
Eugene Mechler,
Richard Cox. †

Shortly after takeoff from Robins AFB, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a field located 2 miles east of the airport. All seven occupants were killed.

The airplane crashed while taking off from Robins AFB and was destroyed. Both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Col Francis Marion Zeigler, pilot,
Arvil G. Copelan.