Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 30 March 1960
Aircraft Type: Boeing KC-97F Stratofreighter
Owner/operator: United States Air Force – USAF
Registration Number: 51-0363
Location: 70 km E off Cape Canaveral, FL, USA –
ÿ Atlantic Ocean
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 14
Component Affected: PropellersPropellers
Category: Accident
A Boeing KC-97F Stratofreighter experienced a catastrophic event during a flight over the Atlantic Ocean. Following a loss of oil, the aircraft’s propellers experienced damage, leading to a controlled ditching. Six minutes after the incident, authorities initiated a rescue operation, resulting in the discovery of three survivors and subsequent towing to shore. The aircraft ultimately sank, with its wreckage recovered in 2015 at 365 feet.A Boeing KC-97F Stratofreighter experienced a catastrophic event during a flight over the Atlantic Ocean. Following a loss of oil, the aircraft’s propellers experienced damage, leading to a controlled ditching. Six minutes after the incident, authorities initiated a rescue operation, resulting in the discovery of three survivors and subsequent towing to shore. The aircraft ultimately sank, with its wreckage recovered in 2015 at 365 feet.
Description
The Boeing KC-97F Stratofreighter was en route to Tampa, Florida, USA over the Atlantic Ocean when propellers no.2 and 3 were feathered following a loss of oil.’ Six minutes later, at 20:16, the decision was made to ditch the aircraft. The ditching was carried out in calm waters, 70 km east off Tampa at 20:21. The first ship arrived on the scene at 23:15 hours and found three survivors. A helicopter and another ship rescued additional survivors after midnight. The next morning the aircraft was being towed to shore, but sank in the process. The wreckage was rediscovered on June 6, 2015 in 365 feet of water.
Primary Cause
Loss of oil on propellers.Loss of oil on propellers.Share on:
