Incident Overview
The crew departed Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) for a routine refueling mission. Shortly after liftoff, during initial climb, engine number one failed. The aircraft immediately banked left and crashed into several buildings, resulting in a large explosion.
Casualties and Damage
All seven crew members aboard the aircraft were killed. Two individuals on the ground also lost their lives. The aircraft was destroyed, and two buildings—a crew rest house and a guard local—were completely destroyed.
Official Findings
The investigation determined the probable cause of the accident to be the failure of engine number one at takeoff.