Incident Overview
A military transport aircraft on a trans-Pacific flight experienced a catastrophic propeller blade failure while cruising approximately 1,046 kilometers northeast of Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii. The crew, unable to feather the damaged propeller, made the decision to abandon the aircraft. All five crew members bailed out, and the aircraft subsequently crashed into the ocean.
Sequence of Events
The flight originated at Pope Air Force Base (AFB) in North Carolina, with planned intermediate stops at McClellan AFB in California and Hickam AFB in Hawaii, before continuing to its final destination at Tachikawa Air Base in Japan. While at cruise altitude northeast of Hickam, a propeller blade fractured. The crew attempted to feather the propeller but were unsuccessful. Faced with the inability to control the aircraft, they elected to bail out.
Rescue and Casualties
Following the bailout, four crew members were rescued from the ocean. One crew member perished in the incident. The official investigation did not specify the exact cause of death or the circumstances of the rescue operation.
Investigation Findings
The official probable cause of the accident was determined to be a propeller blade failure in flight. The investigation did not attribute any other factors or contributing causes. The report noted no information regarding weather conditions, ATC communications, or other potential influences.
Aftermath
The aircraft was lost in the crash. No further details were provided about recovery efforts or the specific type of aircraft involved. The incident remains a documented case of mechanical failure leading to a controlled bailout.