Incident Description
During a seven-hour training mission, a United States Air Force aircraft was returning to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, when it encountered technical problems with its engines during a night final approach. The aircraft stalled, apparently due to low speed. Four crew members successfully bailed out before the aircraft crashed in an open field approximately eight miles from the base. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.
Rescue and Fatalities
Two crew members were rescued from the incident, while four others were killed. The pilot ejected but was fatally injured after being struck by a falling hatch following ejection. Sergeant Blazina bailed out at low altitude and struck the ground before his parachute could deploy. The deceased crew members were identified as Lieutenant Colonel Poole, Major McGuirk, Sergeant Cole, and Sergeant Blazina.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that fuel mismanagement during the approach led to multiple flameouts on engines number 1, 2, 3, and 4. Additionally, it was believed that the approach speed was low at the time, causing the aircraft to stall.