What happened
In the early morning hours, a four-engine aircraft departed from Kenneth Ingalls Sawyer Air Force Base, bound for Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport. During the transit, the aircraft began to break apart while still airborne. Following this structural failure, the plane entered a steep dive and impacted a forested region situated approximately 12.5 miles southwest of Alpena.
The accident resulted in 15 fatalities among those on board. Emergency responders were able to locate and rescue five survivors from the wreckage.
Findings
Investigators were unable to establish a definitive reason for the accident. However, officials did not dismiss the possibility that a cabin pressurization issue led to the partial disintegration of the aircraft during flight.