Background
The crew was returning to McClellan Air Force Base after completing a 19-hour mission that involved weather reports. The aircraft was on its final approach when the accident occurred.
Accident
During the final approach, a propeller on the aircraft went into reverse. This caused the airplane to go out of control. The aircraft crashed in a huge explosion approximately three miles short of the runway. Upon impact, the aircraft was destroyed by the forces of the crash and a subsequent post-crash fire.
Aftermath
All 10 crew members aboard the aircraft were killed. The crew members were identified as: Maj Bruce Acebedo, S/Sgt Carlton J. Fose, M/Sgt Edwin M. Fultz, Cpt Guilford A. Hopkins, S/Sgt Elbert E. King, Cpt Robert L. Kizer, 2nd Lt August I. Lam, S/Sgt Hayden C. Schulz, T/Sgt George R. Shook, and Cpt Leonard B. Winstead.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was determined to be a failure of a propeller which went into reverse on final approach.