Accident Overview
At the moment of liftoff, the right wing separated from the fuselage. The aircraft subsequently crashed back onto the runway, lost control, and was engulfed in flames. All six crew members aboard were killed.
Crew
The crew consisted of six members: Captain Edward William Wyatt (pilot), Captain John Anthony Albasio (copilot), Captain Donald Joseph Maccio (navigator), Captain Edward Anthony Miskowski (radio navigator), First Lieutenant Gary Paul Leach (electronic warfare officer), and Technical Sergeant Clinton Eugene Tibbetts (air gunner).
Investigation
The official investigation concluded that the right wing separated from the fuselage due to a structural failure. The probable cause was determined to be the in-flight separation of the right wing resulting from structural failure.