What happened
The incident occurred during the takeoff phase. After completing a long takeoff roll, the pilot initiated rotation, but the aircraft failed to achieve sufficient height. As it reached the end of the runway, the four-engine airframe struck a mound of earth. The impact caused the nose to drop, leading to a catastrophic crash and a large explosion. The structural integrity of the plane was compromised by the collision forces, followed by a post-crash fire that destroyed the aircraft entirely.
All 31 occupants were killed in the accident. The crew consisted of two pilots, a flight engineer, a navigator, and a wireless operator/air gunner assigned to the 206th Squadron. The remaining passengers included various military personnel such as drivers, corporals, captains, and privates.
Findings
Official investigations determined that the accident was caused by an improper takeoff technique. Specifically, the rotation maneuver was attempted while the aircraft was moving at an insufficient speed. Consequently, the airframe entered a stall condition immediately after leaving the ground, preventing it from gaining the necessary lift to clear obstacles.