7 fatalities

1965-03-25: Lockheed C-130 Hercules (63-7797) — United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) — Alençon, France

Alençon, FranceFlight

On March 25, 1965, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules (registration 63-7797) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Alençon, France in flight. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft struck electrical power lines while flying at a low altitude in poor weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781242263Data APIEditorial standards

A night training flight involving a group of aircraft ended in a fatal crash after the plane struck power lines near Évreux.

What happened

During a scheduled night training mission, a group of aircraft departed from Évreux Airport. The formation included the subject aircraft and two other similar planes. While the flight was operating at a low altitude during the cruise phase, the crew encountered adverse weather conditions.

During this period of poor visibility or turbulence, the aircraft collided with overhead power cables. The impact caused the plane to crash into a field situated in the vicinity of the Château de Durcet. The collision resulted in an immediate post-crash fire that consumed the airframe.

Findings

  • The aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact.
  • There were seven fatalities among the crew members on board.
  • The primary factor leading to the accident was the collision with power cables during low-altitude flight in inclement weather.

Probable cause

The aircraft struck electrical power lines while flying at a low altitude in poor weather conditions.