What happened
The aircraft was operating a scheduled flight from Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka to Lowry Air Force Base near Aurora, Colorado. While cruising through adverse weather conditions, the plane lost control and impacted the ground in an open field located four miles north of Goodland. The crash resulted in the deaths of all 13 occupants on board.
Findings
Investigations indicated that severe turbulence associated with active thunderstorms was the primary factor leading to the loss of control. Additionally, electrical activity within the storm cell may have adversely affected onboard equipment, further complicating the situation for the crew.