What happened
The aircraft departed Gander Airport with the objective of being transferred to the Johnsonville Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, located approximately 30 km north of Philadelphia. The purpose of this movement was to undergo retrofitting with updated armament systems.
While flying over North Reading, the crew encountered an unexpected situation that necessitated an emergency response. During the subsequent attempt at an emergency landing, the airplane collided with a residential chimney before crashing into a dense wooded area. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe.
All 10 occupants were killed in the accident. At the time of the incident, visibility was poor due to foggy conditions. The crew consisted of two pilots, a navigator, a bombardier, a flight engineer, an assistant flight engineer, a radio operator, and an assistant radio operator. Two additional personnel were on board as passengers.
Findings
Investigations indicated that the accident was likely caused by aerodynamic flutter, a phenomenon that may have led to the separation of one wing during descent. This theory was supported by physical evidence found at the scene, specifically an undamaged wing discovered a significant distance from the main wreckage.