What happened
The incident involved a four-engine military transport aircraft operating as a hospital plane. The flight originated at Moffett Air Force Base near San Jose, California, with the destination being Naval Station Oakland. On board were seven crew members and fourteen patients.
During the approach to the destination, visibility was significantly reduced due to fog. The pilot utilized Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) guidance to navigate the low-visibility conditions. As the aircraft established itself on final approach, it descended below the safe glide path. Consequently, the airframe struck an embankment before reaching the runway surface.
Upon impact, the landing gear was sheared off. The aircraft then crash-landed and skidded approximately 1,000 feet before coming to a stop. The structure caught fire immediately after the collision. One passenger lost their life in the accident, while twenty other occupants sustained injuries. The airframe was destroyed by the impact and subsequent fire.