What happened
During a scheduled aerial refueling operation, a B-52 and a USAF KC-135, registered 57-1513, were engaged in a training mission. While flying at an altitude of 32,000 feet, the two aircraft collided. Following the impact, both planes entered a steep descent toward the earth, eventually crashing in the vicinity of Leitchfield.
The collision resulted in significant loss of life. All four crew members aboard the KC-135 perished in the accident. On the B-52, the crash claimed the lives of four crew members, though four others successfully exited the aircraft via bailout and were later located alive. Both airframes were completely destroyed upon hitting the ground.
Despite the destruction of the aircraft, authorities confirmed that both nuclear weapons being transported on the B-52 remained intact following the recovery process.
Findings
The exact circumstances surrounding the mid-air collision remain unclear.