Accident Overview
On a training flight at Spokane Air Force Base, two B-52 aircraft, registered 56-0681 and 56-0661, collided in midair and crashed. The accident occurred while the crews were practicing visual and instrument approaches and landings to runway 23.
Sequence of Events
Both aircraft were engaged in a local training flight consisting of visual and instrument approaches and landings. Approaching runway 23 at about three miles from the threshold, the crew of one B-52 switched from visual to instrument mode. Meanwhile, the other B-52 (56-0681), which was in first position, was required to switch from instruments to visual mode. To follow approach procedures and due to lack of coordination between the two crews, the approach controller instructed the first crew to gain altitude and turn right, and the second crew to reduce altitude and turn left. However, seconds later, at an altitude of 900 feet, both aircraft turned upward and to the right, colliding with each other and crashing.
Casualties
On board 56-0681, five crew members were killed and two others were seriously injured. On board 56-0661, only one crew member survived; the other eight were killed.
Investigation and Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the collision was that the approach procedures were not followed by the crews. The control tower did not detect the more distant B-52 until it was about three miles from the runway, at which point the closer bomber was on final approach. The tower ordered the first plane to go up and to the right (a standard breakaway maneuver), while the closer plane should have descended and turned left to land. Instead, both planes pulled up and to the right, into each other. Investigators were unable to determine why the crews failed to follow standard procedures and ATC instructions.