Incident
On an unspecified date, a United States Air Force B-52 aircraft crashed during a local training flight at Sacramento-Mather Air Force Base. The aircraft was conducting a Minimum Interval Takeoff and Landing (MITO) mission, a tactic used to launch multiple aircraft in rapid succession. The mishap resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and the deaths of all nine crew members on board.
Sequence of Events
The B-52 began its takeoff procedure 10 seconds after a preceding USAF B-52 had departed from the same runway. Shortly after liftoff, during the initial climb, the aircraft encountered wake turbulence generated by the preceding bomber. The pilot-in-command responded by reducing engine power. However, the reduction was excessive, causing all eight engines to flame out. With a consequent loss of airspeed, the aircraft stalled and struck the ground. Upon impact, the aircraft exploded, scattering debris over a distance of 400 yards.
Crew
The nine crew members who perished in the accident were identified as: Maj James Henry York (pilot), Cpt Lyle Allen Brunner (instructor), Cpt Dennis Earl Davis (electronic warfare instructor), 2nd Lt Scott A. Semmel (student copilot), 2nd Lt Peter M. Riley (student copilot), 2nd Lt Richard P. Robeson (student navigator), 2nd Lt Benjamin C. Berndt (student navigator), 2nd Lt Daniel N. Bader (student navigator), and M/Sgt Jere E. LeFever (gunner).
Probable Cause
According to the official findings, the probable cause of the accident was an incorrect departure sequence of the B-52 aircraft. Some jets were using metered water injection for extra thrust while others were not; the crashed aircraft had the power enhancement enabled, but the preceding aircraft it followed did not. Additionally, there was an error in the planning of the MITO mission.