4 fatalities

Midair collision involving Boeing B-52 near Palomares (61-0273)

Palomares, SpainFlight

On January 17, 1966, a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker (registration 61-0273) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Palomares, Spain in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft collided with a USAF B-52 during an aerial refueling mission. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A midair collision occurred between an aircraft and a USAF Boeing B-52 during a refueling mission, resulting in the loss of all four crew members.

What happened

During the execution of 'Operation Chrome Dome', a midair collision took place involving a United States Air Force Boeing B-52, registered 58-0256. The incident occurred while the aircraft was engaged in an aerial refueling mission. Following the impact, the aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Palomares. The accident resulted in four fatalities, as there were no survivors among the crew members on board.

Findings

  • The collision took place during a specialized refueling operation known as 'Operation Chrome Dome'.
  • The crash occurred near the location of Palomares.
  • The primary factor in the accident was the midair collision between the participating aircraft.

Probable cause

The aircraft collided with a USAF B-52 during an aerial refueling mission.