Incident Overview
Shortly after takeoff from McConnell Air Force Base, while climbing to an altitude of 500–700 feet, the captain of a KC-135 Stratotanker sent a distress call as the aircraft experienced a large amount of yaw. The crew decided to return to the base and began dumping large quantities of fuel from the aircraft's refueling tanks. Shortly after, the aircraft made a hard left bank and entered a roll. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed at the intersection of Piatt and 20th Street, approximately three minutes after takeoff and about seven miles north-northwest of the airbase.
Casualties and Damage
The KC-135 was loaded with 31,000 US gallons of jet fuel. The crash resulted in a large explosion and subsequent fire that engulfed dozens of homes. The accident killed all seven crew members on board and 23 people on the ground. Additionally, 27 people on the ground sustained injuries, three of which were serious. It was reported that the crew entry door was jettisoned during the accident.
Possible Contributing Factors
A B-52 Stratofortress bomber, which had taken off prior to the KC-135, may have blown a detached drag chute from an F-105 Thunderchief against the departing aircraft.
Investigation
Ten months after the accident, the U.S. Air Force issued an official accident report. The report stated that the crash was caused by "a rudder control system malfunction" that was impossible for the crew to overcome.