Fatal Approach Accident at Clark Air Base (61-0332)

Flight Details and Weather Conditions The aircraft was completing a flight from Travis Air Force Base to Clark Air Force Base, with an intermediate stop at Hickam Field in Honolulu. The flight carried U.S. soldiers and their family members. While descending to runway 02 at Clark Air Force Base, the crew encountered poor weather conditions, including low clouds, rain, and limited visibility of one mile. Five kilometers from the runway threshold, the crew passed below the glide path, and the air traffic control (ATC) in charge of the approach issued three warnings to the crew. Despite these warnings, the pilot-in-command continued the approach. At three kilometers from the runway threshold, the crew was instructed to go around. However, the captain, who had the runway in sight, disregarded the order and decided to continue the approach. The captain changed his frequency and contacted the tower, which cleared the crew to land. At a distance of 1,050 meters short of the runway threshold, the nose gear struck a fence, and the left wing struck a TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) antenna. The airplane stalled, hit the ground, and slid for several yards. It crossed a road where it struck a taxi and came to rest in flames 600 meters short of the runway and 100 meters to the left of the extended centerline. Five crew members, including both pilots, were injured, while all 74 passengers, five other crew members, and the taxi driver were killed. Both passengers in the taxi were also injured.