What happened
A C-124 Globemaster II was conducting a multi-leg flight on behalf of the Tactical Air Command, transporting veterans returning from Korea for the Christmas holiday. The flight plan included several stops at Larson AFB in Washington, Kelly AFB in Texas, and locations in Tennessee and South Carolina, before concluding in Florida.
During the departure from Larson AFB, the aircraft encountered light snowfall. Shortly after lifting off from the runway, the plane reached an altitude of approximately 100 feet when it began a left bank. This maneuver caused the left wing to make contact with the ground. The aircraft subsequently lost control and impacted a field beyond the end of the runway, resulting in a massive explosion. The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in 87 fatalities (comprising five crew members and 82 passengers) and 28 injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the flight crew did not complete the necessary pre-departure checklist. Specifically, it was determined that the pilot failed to remove the rudder and elevator locking pins before beginning the takeoff sequence.