Collision
Shortly after takeoff from Camp Evans Air Force Base, a Caribou aircraft was climbing to an altitude of 335 meters when it collided with a United States Air Force Boeing-Vertol CH-47A Chinook helicopter, registered 66-19041. The Chinook was approaching the same airbase with six passengers and five crew members on board. The rear rotor of the Chinook struck the cockpit of the Caribou. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed a few hundred yards from the runway end.
Casualties
All 26 occupants of both aircraft were killed in the accident. At the time of the collision, the Caribou was traveling at approximately 190 km/h, while the Chinook was approaching at a speed of 185 km/h.
Crew
The Caribou crew consisted of Captain Wayne Philip Bundy, First Lieutenant Ralph Schiavone, Staff Sergeant Donald Gene Cleaver, and Staff Sergeant James Kenneth Connor.
Investigation
The official investigation determined that the collision was the consequence of several violations on the part of the Chinook crew, who were attempting to land on a helipad located 300 meters to the left of the main runway. The findings included: the crew failed to contact ground control at Camp Evans AFB prior to its arrival; the crew was not authorized to approach Camp Evans AFB at that time; the crew failed to respect the maximum altitude of 180 meters fixed for helicopters in that area and was approaching at a too high altitude of 335 meters; and the crew was approaching Camp Evans from a non-assigned approach path for helicopters.