What happened
The incident occurred during a scheduled flight between Biggs Air Force Base and Lowry Air Force Base. While en route, the crew navigated through deteriorating meteorological conditions characterized by active thunderstorm cells. As visibility dropped significantly due to the weather, the aircraft lost control or descended below safe altitude limits. The plane subsequently impacted the terrain approximately six kilometers west of Raton.
The collision resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. All 10 crew members on board were killed in the accident. The source material lists the following individuals as part of the flight crew: Walter C. Williams, Melvin R. Truman, James L. Reidinger, Martin L. Murray, Floyd C. Melton Jr., Frank M. Kackstetter, James R. Irby, Carl A. Hill, Arthur L. Gaudreault, and Melvin C. Brock.
Findings
The primary contributing factor identified in the circumstances was the presence of thunderstorm activity which created low visibility conditions for the crew during the approach phase.