Nighttime mountain collision near Ching Chuan Kang Air Base

6 fatalities • Ching Chuan Kang AFB (Taichung), Taiwan • Flight

A military transport aircraft crashed into a mountainside during a night flight in poor weather conditions, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

During a return flight to the base at Ching Chuan Kang, situated near Taichung, Taiwan, an aircraft traveling from a refueling mission over South Vietnam encountered difficulties. While operating under nighttime conditions and navigating through marginal weather, the aircraft type impacted the side of a mountain peak measuring 7,300 feet in elevation. The collision occurred approximately 75 km away from Ching Chuan Kang Air Force Base.

Search efforts located the debris field at an altitude of 1,500 feet below the summit. The impact resulted in six fatalities, with no survivors among the crew members on board.

Findings

  • The flight was conducted during the night.
  • Weather conditions were reported as marginal at the time of the accident.
  • The aircraft struck a mountain slope while in the cruise phase of flight.

Probable cause

The aircraft collided with terrain during a nighttime flight in poor weather conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1968-10-22 Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker accident near Ching Chuan Kang AFB (Taichung), Taiwan?

A military transport aircraft crashed into a mountainside during a night flight in poor weather conditions, resulting in no survivors.

Were there any fatalities in the 1968-10-22 Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1968-10-22 involved a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, registration 61-0301, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Ching Chuan Kang AFB (Taichung), Taiwan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft collided with terrain during a nighttime flight in poor weather conditions.

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