Background
The aircraft was on a long flight from Lockbourne Air Force Base in Columbus, Ohio, to Amman, Jordan. The flight included intermediate stops in Gander, Keflavik, Wiesbaden, Marseille, and Athens.
Accident
While cruising in poor weather conditions east of the Rhône Valley, the crew failed to realize they were not on the proper flight track, likely due to strong winds gusting from the south. In poor visibility, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain near the Devès Pass, near Aulan. The aircraft was destroyed and all five crew members were killed.
Crew
The crew consisted of Pilot Francis T. Durkin, Copilot Dale R. Anderson, Navigator Marion R. Meckstoch, Mechanic William R. Barbor, and William L. Champion.