What happened
A scheduled six-hour training mission departed Loring AFB at 0900LT. During the initial climb phase, the aircraft encountered intense turbulence. During this period, the drag brace for the number three engine failed because a nut was missing from the assembly. This failure caused the third engine to shift upward in front of the wing, which induced a heavy roll to the left.
In an effort to stabilize the aircraft, the crew applied aggressive control inputs. These maneuvers led to the separation of both the number three and number four engines from the wing. Following this structural failure, the aircraft entered a 90-degree right bank and descended into a forested area located approximately 2.4 miles north of the runway. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and four fatalities among the crew.
Findings
The investigation determined that the sequence of events began when the engine drag brace failed due to a missing nut.