What happened
During a local training mission departing from Randolph AFB, a B-52 aircraft experienced a critical failure while operating in the circuit. An intense fire broke out in one of the right-side engines during the flight. In an attempt to escape the burning aircraft, five crew members successfully deployed parachutes and landed safely.
Following the engine fire, the aircraft became uncontrollable and entered a steep dive toward the earth. The plane ultimately struck a cornfield, where the impact caused the wreckage to ignite into a large fire. The accident resulted in ten fatalities among the crew members on board.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the primary factor leading to the loss of the aircraft was an engine fire during flight.