What happened
During an AWACS survey mission operating under the call sign Yukla 27, an aircraft departed from Elmendorf AFB. The flight was carrying a total of 24 people, consisting of four crew members and 20 passengers. During the initial climb phase from runway 05, the aircraft encountered a flock of Canada geese.
This encounter resulted in the birds striking both the number one and number two engines on the left side of the aircraft. As the plane reached a maximum altitude of approximately 250 feet, the number one engine failed and the number two engine experienced an explosion. Following the engine failures, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled roll to the left, which caused the left wing to impact trees.
The aircraft subsequently crashed into a heavily wooded area situated roughly one mile from the end of the runway. The impact resulted in a large explosion and the total disintegration of the airframe. There were 24 fatalities among the occupants. Evidence of the bird strike was confirmed by the presence of numerous dead geese at the wreckage site.
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was the collision with a flock of Canada geese during the takeoff climb.
- The bird strike caused simultaneous failure of the left engine and an explosion in the second engine.