Incident Overview
A military aircraft on a nighttime training sortie from Walker Air Force Base encountered severe turbulence that resulted in the structural failure of its tail section. The aircraft subsequently crashed into the Sangre de Christo Mountain Range, approximately 10 miles northwest of Mora. Four crew members successfully ejected before impact, while two others were killed.
Crew and Casualties
The crew consisted of six members. Those who survived were Lt Col Donald Hayes (pilot), Maj Thomas J. McBride (copilot), Maj Emil Goldbeck (navigator), and Lt Col Nicholas Horangic (radar operator). Maj George Szabo (weapons systems operator) and M/Sgt Harvey Burl Dean (tail gunner) were killed. The source indicates four crew members ejected, but lists five survivors; this discrepancy is not further explained.
Accident Sequence
According to the source, the tail broke off while the aircraft was flying through turbulence at night. Following the separation, four crew members ejected. The aircraft then crashed into mountainous terrain. No further details on the timing or duration of the event are provided.
Investigation
The investigation into the accident focused on the in-flight structural failure. The source does not state a probable cause or offer analysis beyond the direct sequence of events.