What happened
During a night training mission, an aircraft experienced a catastrophic loss of control immediately following takeoff from Beale Air Force Base. As the plane began its initial ascent, it became unstable and struck the ground in an inverted position, triggering a massive explosion.
At the time of the accident, the crew consisted of seven members. One crew member sustained serious injuries during the impact; however, that individual succumbed to their wounds several days after the event. The remaining six personnel on board were killed instantly during the crash.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the aircraft suffered a multiple engine failure for reasons that could not be identified. This loss of power led directly to the loss of control during the takeoff phase.