Background
The aircraft, a four-engine military transport, was en route from McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, with scheduled intermediate stops at El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in California and Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Accident
Departure from El Toro AFB occurred during nighttime hours with marginal weather conditions. One minute after liftoff, while climbing through an altitude of approximately 1,150 feet, the aircraft struck the slope of Loma Hill, located three miles from the airfield. The point of impact was 150 feet below the summit. The aircraft disintegrated upon impact. None of the 84 occupants survived the crash. At the time of the accident, visibility was limited due to low clouds, light drizzle, and darkness.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the crew performed a straight-in climb after takeoff instead of executing a turn to the left as prescribed by the published departure procedures for El Toro AFB. This deviation from the established flight path resulted in the aircraft flying into rising terrain.