What happened
The incident occurred during a night takeoff from Roswell Airport. While the aircraft was in the initial climb phase, it lost control shortly after leaving the runway. The plane subsequently crashed approximately six miles south of the airfield, resulting in a massive explosion.
The accident resulted in significant loss of life and injuries among the personnel on board. A total of 13 crew members were killed in the crash, while eight others sustained injuries. The deceased included the pilot and various enlisted ranks serving with the aircraft at the time of the incident.
Findings
Reports following the accident indicated that the aircraft may have been operating above its maximum takeoff weight. This potential overload was cited as a significant factor in the loss of control during the initial climb phase.