Incident Overview
A heavy bomber departed from Kadena Air Force Base to conduct a bombing mission over North Korea. During the flight, the aircraft encountered severe icing conditions. The accumulation of ice led to a loss of control, resulting in a crash in a mountainous region approximately 34 kilometers southwest of Gangneung.
Casualties and Crew
The accident resulted in significant loss of life. Eleven crew members were killed in the incident, while one individual was successfully rescued. The deceased personnel included:
- 2nd Lt Merle T. Ayers
- 1st Lt John L. Dreese
- M/Sgt Ralph R. Heath
- 1st Lt Raymond B. Houston
- A2c George D. Jones Jr.
- A2c Jimmie L. Kahanek
- A2c James McCormick
- A1c Richard T. Michel
- Cpt John L. Roberts
- Maj Earl J. Sanders Jr.
- A2c Amos C. Temples
The surviving crew member was M/Sgt Alphonse Gerrato Jr.
Investigation Findings
Official findings indicated that the loss of control was attributed to an excessive accumulation of ice on the wings during flight. This icing condition directly contributed to the aircraft's inability to maintain stability, leading to the fatal crash in the mountainous area.