Incident Overview
A C-123 Provider aircraft preparing for departure was involved in a collision on the runway with an F-105 Thunderchief that was landing. The C-123 had aborted its takeoff after the pilot observed a large thunderstorm directly ahead and decided to return to the parking area.
Sequence of Events
The C-123 taxied along the runway for approximately 2,000 feet when the control tower instructed it to clear the runway immediately. Before the aircraft could vacate, it was struck by the landing F-105, which was operating in poor visibility.
Collision Details
The F-105's starboard wing sliced through the left side of the C-123's fuselage. The jet's fuselage then tore both engines from the C-123's port wing. The collision caused the aircraft to catch fire and tumble down the runway for an additional 5,000 feet.
Casualties
The pilot of the F-105 died in the collision. All crew members of the C-123 escaped with burns; however, one of them succumbed to injuries a few days later.