What happened
During a scheduled low-altitude landing error simulation (LAPES) demonstration at Fort Bragg AFB, an aircraft accident occurred involving the crew departing from Pope AFB. The flight team had successfully finished an initial demonstration maneuver prior to the incident.
While performing the second approach of the mission, the aircraft experienced an uncontrolled descent. The pilot failed to initiate the flare maneuver in a timely manner, leading to an excessive rate of descent. Upon contact with the ground, the aircraft traveled approximately 1,000 meters along the surface before exiting the runway area and entering a wooded zone. The impact caused the aircraft to burst into flames.
Findings
The accident resulted in five fatalities, including four crew members and one individual on the ground. Additionally, two crew members sustained injuries during the event. The primary factor contributing to the crash was that the pilot-in-command descended too rapidly and executed the flare maneuver too late during the second approach.