Incident Overview

Date: Saturday 28 August 1976
Aircraft Type: Lockheed C-141A-LM Starlifter
Owner/operator: United States Air Force – USAF
Registration Number: 67-0008
Location: Kangerlussuaq-S?ndre Str?mfjord Airport (SFJ) – ÿ Greenland
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 23 / Occupants: 27
Component Affected: Aircraft ? specifically the left wing and the entire aircraft.Aircraft ? specifically the left wing and the entire aircraft.
Category: Accident
A Lockheed C-141 67-0008 aircraft experienced a catastrophic landing following a PAR approach on Greenland. The aircraft stalled, rotated abruptly, and lifted off the runway with a high pitch angle, resulting in significant damage and a loss of control. The aircraft subsequently crashed, striking the ground multiple times, and ultimately disintegrated.A Lockheed C-141 67-0008 aircraft experienced a catastrophic landing following a PAR approach on Greenland. The aircraft stalled, rotated abruptly, and lifted off the runway with a high pitch angle, resulting in significant damage and a loss of control. The aircraft subsequently crashed, striking the ground multiple times, and ultimately disintegrated.

Description

Lockheed C-141 67-0008 departed Thule Air Base on Greenland for a two-hour flight to Sonderstrom Air Base. From Sonderstrom it was to return to Thule and continue back home to McGuire AFB. The flight carried enough fuel for the flight to McGuire. Following a PAR approach the airplane landed slightly long on the 9235 feet long runway 11. The aircraft rolled for 1500 to 2000 feet with no thrust reverser or spoiler deployment. A go around was commenced. The plane then rotated abruptly and lifted off the runway with a pitch attitude as high as 45 degrees. The aircraft stalled. The left wing struck the ground and burst into flames. The aircraft became airborne again with portions of the left wing missing. It flew for 650 feet before striking the ground with the right wing, causing it to catch fire. It then bounced once more and disintegrated 500 feet from runway centerline. Investigation revealed that the crew were very inexperienced (a captain with less than 100 hours in command). The were probably affected by an optical illusion. The first 3000 feet of runway 11 has an upslope of 1.51%; it rises 59 feet from the threshold. At touchdown, the last two-thirds of the runway disappears, giving the impression of a very short runway.

Primary Cause

Inexperienced crew with limited flight hours.Inexperienced crew with limited flight hours.

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