Fatal Training Accident on Mt. Lassen (56-3655)

Incident Overview and Flight Profile The aircraft departed Castle AFB on a training mission. During the flight, the crew completed a simulated emergency descent from flight level 390 to flight level 230. Following this maneuver, the pilot-in-command initiated a sharp turn, which resulted in a loss of control. The aircraft subsequently crashed on Mt. Lassen and was totally destroyed. All nine crew members on board were killed in the accident. ## Official Findings The investigation determined that the loss of control was the consequence of the physical loss of the stabilizer. The stabilizer detached during the sharp turn, possibly due to an overload condition.