Accident
On final approach to Ellsworth AFB, while completing a local training sortie, all eight engines of the aircraft lost power. The aircraft stalled and crashed into a building that housed equipment for the instrument landing approach system, located short of the runway.
Crew and Casualties
The crew consisted of Cpt Melvin J. Rudd (pilot), Sgt Richard Gilbert (navigator), Cpt Verle Rusk (navigator), 1st Lt Leonard R. Scotty (electronic countermeasures officer), T/Sgt Oscar Orrs (gunner), Cpt John O'Connell Jr. (navigator), and 1st Lt Kenneth B. Kaeppler (radar navigator). Two crew members were killed: Cpt John O'Connell Jr. and 1st Lt Kenneth B. Kaeppler. Six others were injured.
Three people working in the building were killed: A1c Ronald R. Mitchell, A1 James E. Ferrell, and Mr. Glen M. Allen.
Probable Cause
The official findings stated that the accident was the result of a fuel pump screen iced over, leading to a total power loss on all engines.