What happened
During a coordinated night-time parachuting training mission, a formation of 32 identical aircraft departed from Fort Campbell AFB. The flight was part of a large-scale combined exercise involving numerous similar aircraft.
While the aircraft was in transit, an engine fire developed in the right-hand engine. In response to the emergency, all 26 paratroopers on board successfully exited the aircraft via parachute. Following the evacuation of the passengers, the crew attempted to navigate the aircraft back toward Fort Campbell AFB. However, the flight ended when the aircraft impacted a field.
Findings
- The incident resulted in four fatalities among the crew members.
- All 26 paratroopers who bailed out were subsequently located and survived the accident.
- The primary factor leading to the crash was an engine fire.