Accident Overview
A military aircraft on a routine flight from McChord Air Force Base to California experienced a stall shortly after takeoff during the initial climb. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground in a pasture located beyond the end of the runway. The crash resulted in injuries to eight occupants and fatalities to all three crew members. There was no post-crash fire.
Crew and Passengers
The flight crew consisted of Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Walker (pilot), Captain Peter Michael Cunningham (copilot), and Technical Sergeant Donald G. Love (flight engineer), all of whom were killed. The passengers included First Lieutenant Joseph R. Baxter, Master Sergeant William B. Johnston, Lieutenant Colonel Jack S. McKinley, Sergeant William D. Wallace, Technical Sergeant Billy D. Byrd, Sergeant Charles L. Andrews, Petty Officer Second Class Charles B. Nichols, Petty Officer Third Class Darrell E. Calentine, and Master Sergeant Granville Hicks. All passengers sustained injuries.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft was conducting a routine departure from McChord Air Force Base when, after rotation and during the initial climb phase, it entered an aerodynamic stall. The loss of lift caused the airplane to descend rapidly and collide with the pasture terrain just past the departure end of the runway. Emergency responders arrived at the scene to treat the injured and recover the deceased. No further details about the flight or weather conditions are available from the source.
Investigation
An official investigation into the accident was conducted by the relevant authorities. The source provides no stated probable cause for the stall or crash.