What happened
The flight originated from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. During the descent phase toward Portland, weather conditions deteriorated significantly due to fog, which severely limited visibility. The crew was unable to visually identify the airfield or locate the runway for landing. As a result, the aircraft deviated from its intended approach path and impacted the ground within the Redbank Trailer Park. The impact caused an immediate and intense fireball that consumed the wreckage.
Findings
The accident resulted in significant loss of life. Both members of the flight crew were killed instantly. Additionally, 18 people on the ground, identified as mothers and their children residing in the trailer park, perished in the crash. One individual who survived the initial impact later succumbed to injuries sustained during the incident less than a month after the event.