Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker

Operator:

Registration:

58-0026

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Minot - Glasgow

MSN:

17771/241

YOM:

1959

Location:

Minot AFB

North Dakota

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Region:

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Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

4996

Circumstances:

The departure from Minot AFB to Glasgow was attempted in a snowstorm. At liftoff, the four engine airplane went out of control and crashed in flames within the runway edge. The airplane was destroyed and all 13 occupants were killed, among them Maj Gen Charles M. Eisenhart who was completing a troop's check.

Probable cause:

It is believe the pilot-in-command over-rotated for unknown reason.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker at Offutt AFB: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1967

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

59-1465

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Schedule:

Offutt - Offutt

MSN:

17953

YOM:

1960

Location:

Offutt AFB (Bellevue)

Nebraska

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Circumstances:

After liftoff at Offutt AFB, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed in flames about a mile past the runway end. A crew member was killed while four others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause:

The pilot-in-command started the rotation prematurely while the aircraft's speed was insufficient.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker on Mt Shadow: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 19, 1967 at 1800 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

56-3613

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Hickam - Fairchild

MSN:

17362

YOM:

1958

Location:

Mt Shadow

Washington

Country:

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Circumstances:

While descending to Fairchild AFB on a flight from Hickam Field, Hawaii, the airplane was too low and the struck the slope of Mt Shadow (4,337 feet high) located 40 miles northwest of Fairchild AFB. The airplane struck trees and disintegrated on impact, killing all nine crew members.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Kadena AFB: 12 killed

Date & Time: May 18, 1966 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

57-1444

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

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Site:

Schedule:

Kadena - Yokota

MSN:

17515

YOM:

1958

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

3387

Circumstances:

The aircraft was engaged in a special flight from Kadena AFB to Yokota AFB, carrying a spare engine to repair another KC-135 grounded at Yokota Airbase. During the takeoff roll, after a course of 2,100 meters, the crew started the rotation when the airplane stalled and struck the runway surface before taking off again. Once it reached the height of 100 feet, it stalled again and crashed in a huge explosion 100 meters to the left of the extended centerline and about 150 meters past the runway end. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed as well as one motorist on the ground.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the total weight of the aircraft was high at the time of the accident and the pilot-in-command started the rotation prematurely, causing the aircraft to stall and to crash due to an insufficient takeoff speed.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker in Amarillo: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1966 at 2145 LT

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

57-1424

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Amarillo - Amarillo

MSN:

17495

YOM:

1958

Location:

Amarillo

Texas

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

3482

Circumstances:

The crew was returning to Amarillo Airport following a four-hour refueling mission. On final approach, the aircraft was unstable and banked left and right when it stalled and crashed in flames few dozen yards short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all five crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Oscillating and unstable approach for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker in Palomares: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1966 at 1030 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

61-0273

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Morón - Morón

MSN:

18180

YOM:

1961

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Aircraft flight hours:

1947

Circumstances:

Collided in midair with a USAF Boeing B-52 registered 58-0256 while performing a refueling mission during 'Operation Chrome Dome'. Crashed near Palomares, killing all four crew members.

Crash of a Boeing C-135A-BN Stratotanker at El Toro AFB: 84 killed

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1965 at 0146 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

60-0373

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

McGuire - El Toro - Hickam - Kadena

MSN:

18148

YOM:

1961

Location:

El Toro MCAS

California

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Region:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was on its way from McGuire AFB to Kadena, Okinawa, with intermediate stops at El Toro AFB and Hickam AFB, Honolulu. The departure from El Toro AFB was completed by night and marginal weather conditions. One minute after liftoff, during initial climb at an altitude of about 1,150 feet, the four engine aircraft struck the slope of the Loma Hill located three miles from the airfield. The aircraft struck the hill 150 feet below the summit and disintegrated on impact. None of 84 occupants survived the crash. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited due to low clouds, light drizzle and night.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the crew performed a straight-in climb after takeoff instead of making a turn to the left as prescribed in the published departure procedures of the El Toro AFB.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker at Walker AFB: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 3, 1965 at 2300 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

63-8042

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Walker - Walker

MSN:

18659

YOM:

1964

Location:

Walker AFB (Roswell)

New Mexico

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Circumstances:

Just after liftoff, while in initial climb, the four engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. All five crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

It is reported the loss of control was caused by the failure of the electric system.

Crash of a Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker into the Atlantic Ocean: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1965

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

63-8882

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type: