Flight Details
On the day of the accident, aircraft 54-0602, operating under call sign Moose 09, departed Hultburt Field AFB at 0800 local time for a routine training mission. The assigned task was a simulated Southeast Asia (SEA) serial spray training flight. The formation proceeded to a designated spray training area approximately 25 nautical miles northwest of Panama City, Florida, arriving at 08:35 Central Standard Time.
Accident Sequence
Upon arrival, a series of simulated defoliation runs were conducted over an open field. At about 08:50 CST, aircraft 54-0602 assumed the number three position in a right echelon formation for practice defoliation runs along roads. After completing the first run, the lead aircraft ordered a 'piggy back' formation and climbed from 150 feet above ground level (AGL) to approximately 300 feet AGL, executing a 270-degree turn to the right. During this turn, the number three aircraft contacted the ground in a left-wing-low attitude, cartwheeled, and immediately caught fire. The aircraft was destroyed.
Casualties
The instructor pilot, two student pilots, and the flight engineer sustained fatal injuries.