What happened
Following a seven-hour training mission, the crew was returning to Randolph Air Force Base when they encountered marginal weather conditions. While the aircraft was at an altitude of 8,000 feet, the pilot disconnected the autopilot system to continue flight using instruments through an overcast layer.
Shortly after this transition, the pilot reported a total loss of all flight instruments, which rendered the aircraft uncontrollable. Five members of the crew managed to bail out of the aircraft successfully. The aircraft subsequently crashed and exploded approximately 10 miles southeast of the airbase. All six crew members on board were killed in the accident.
Findings
- The pilot experienced a complete loss of flight instruments while flying through overcast conditions.
- The loss of instrumentation led to the aircraft becoming uncontrollable.