What happened
During a scheduled training mission conducted out of Beale Air Force Base, the aircraft was performing a series of touch-and-go maneuvers. As the flight proceeded to a new approach, the aircraft experienced instability while on final approach.
Despite the instability, the instructor permitted the pilot-in-command to proceed with the landing attempt. During this phase, the number one engine made contact with the runway surface, which subsequently triggered a fire and an explosion. The loss of control caused the aircraft to bank sharply to the left, leading to a crash that resulted in a large fire. All seven crew members on board were killed in the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft became unstable during its final approach phase.
- The number one engine struck the runway surface, causing an immediate fire and explosion.