What happened
On 19 May 2016, a B-52H, registration 60-0047, was performing a high-speed, heavy-weight takeoff from Runway 06 Left at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The aircraft was operating under a mission directed by Higher Headquarters. Shortly after reaching a speed of 111 knots, the crew observed birds at wing level. Following this, the crew noted that engines 5, 6, and 7 were rapidly reducing power, and the pilot observed high oil pressure on engine 8 along with a distinct yawing motion.
As the aircraft accelerated to 142 knots, the pilot initiated emergency procedures to abort the takeoff. The crew set the throttles to idle and applied continuous braking, though the drag chute failed to inflate correctly. At 2,500 feet of remaining runway, the pilot shut down the outboard engines. To assist with the emergency, the electronic warfare officer jettisoned the starboard-side hatch of the defensive compartment. The pilot then shut down the remaining inboard engines. During the deceleration, the aircraft left the prepared runway surface, shearing the main landing gear. The aircraft came to a stop approximately 300 feet from the runway centerline with the right wing tilted downward, at which point a fire ignited. All seven crew members sustained only minor injuries during the ground egress.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained total damage, with losses estimated at $112 million.
- The primary cause of the aborted takeoff was bird strikes and subsequent engine power fluctuations.