Incident Overview
Date: Friday 25 June 1965
Aircraft Type: Boeing C-135A Stratolifter
Owner/operator: United States Air Force – USAF
Registration Number: 60-0373
Location: 5,1 km N of Santa Ana-El Toro MCAS, CA (NZJ) –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 84 / Occupants: 84
Component Affected: C-135 StratolifterC-135 Stratolifter
Category: Accident
A C-135 Stratolifter aircraft, bound for Okinawa via Santa Ana-El Toro MCAS, CA (NZJ) and Hickam AFB (HIK), Hawaii, experienced a catastrophic incident resulting in a fire and breakup. The aircraft initiated takeoff at night (01:45) from Runway 34R, but deviated from its prescribed left turn, leading to a collision with Loma Ridge. The impact caused significant damage and resulted in the aircraft’s disintegration.A C-135 Stratolifter aircraft, bound for Okinawa via Santa Ana-El Toro MCAS, CA (NZJ) and Hickam AFB (HIK), Hawaii, experienced a catastrophic incident resulting in a fire and breakup. The aircraft initiated takeoff at night (01:45) from Runway 34R, but deviated from its prescribed left turn, leading to a collision with Loma Ridge. The impact caused significant damage and resulted in the aircraft’s disintegration.
Description
The C-135 Stratolifter originated at Fort Dix-McGuire AFB, NJ (WRI) and was bound for Okinawa, via Santa Ana-El Toro MCAS, CA (NZJ) and Hickam AFB (HIK), Hawaii. Weather was poor at El Toro when the airplane was ready to depart: thick fog and light drizzle. Takeoff was accomplished at night at 01:45 from runway 34R. After takeoff the pilot should have made a prescribed left turn. Instead, the airplane continued straight ahead. It contacted the 1,300-foot Loma Ridge, some 150 feet below the crest. The aircraft broke up and burst into flames.
Primary Cause
Poor weather conditions, specifically thick fog and light drizzle at El Toro, significantly impaired visibility and navigational awareness, leading to a deviation from the prescribed flight path and subsequent collision with Loma Ridge.Poor weather conditions, specifically thick fog and light drizzle at El Toro, significantly impaired visibility and navigational awareness, leading to a deviation from the prescribed flight path and subsequent collision with Loma Ridge.Share on:
