What happened
On January 23, an aircraft departed Westover AFB at 13:30 local time, tasked with a refueling mission destined for Griffiss AFB in Rome, New York. The flight proceeded without incident until the crew began their descent toward the destination. During this phase, air traffic control directed the aircraft into a holding pattern to prioritize the emergency landing of a fighter jet that was critically low on fuel.
Approximately twenty-five minutes later, while operating within a holding pattern, the aircraft encountered severe weather characterized by snow and freezing rain. The plane impacted the summit of Mt Big Shanty, which stands at an elevation of 701 meters, located roughly 70 miles northeast of Griffiss AFB in the Adirondack Mountain Range. Search and rescue teams reached the crash site during the early hours of January 24.
Findings
- The accident resulted in seven fatalities, involving all crew members on board.
- The aircraft was flying through adverse weather conditions including freezing rain and snow at the time of impact.