Incident Overview
Date: Monday 5 June 1972
Aircraft Type: Lockheed C-130D Hercules
Owner/operator: United States Air Force – USAF
Registration Number: 57-0495
Location: DYE 3 Airstrip –
ÿ Greenland
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 8
Component Affected: Aircraft: 17th Tactical Airlift Squadron; Landing Gear, Skis, Outboard Fuel Tanks, Number One Engine, Left Wing Tip, Right Wing TipAircraft: 17th Tactical Airlift Squadron; Landing Gear, Skis, Outboard Fuel Tanks, Number One Engine, Left Wing Tip, Right Wing Tip
Category: Accident
A 17th Tactical Airlift Squadron aircraft experienced a severe landing gear, ski, and wing damage during a final approach to a remote radar site. The aircraft impacted snow, resulting in significant structural damage and a fatality.A 17th Tactical Airlift Squadron aircraft experienced a severe landing gear, ski, and wing damage during a final approach to a remote radar site. The aircraft impacted snow, resulting in significant structural damage and a fatality.
Description
The aircraft, operated by the 17th Tactical Airlift Squadron, was on final approach during a routine resupply mission to a remote radar site when it entered a stall at low altitude, impacting the snow. The landing gear, skis, outboard fuel tanks, and the number one engine were torn from the aircraft, twelve feet of the left wing tip and six feet of the right wing tip were sheered. Fire destroyed the left inboard engine and the remainder of the left wing, as well as a portion of the right wing in the area of the fuel tank pylon. A blade from the number two propeller sheered, cutting a six foot gash in the left side of the fuselage, killing a Danish workman who was on his way to the site. The crew survived with no injuries.
Primary Cause
Snow impact during final approach and landing gear/ski failure.Snow impact during final approach and landing gear/ski failure.Share on:
