No fatalities

Aircraft fire during taxi at Palmdale Air Force Base (67-0172)

Palmdale AFB, United States of AmericaTaxiing

On May 25, 1970, a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy (registration 67-0172) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Palmdale AFB, United States of America while taxiing. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the aircraft fire is currently undetermined. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-14Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft caught fire while taxiing at Palmdale Air Force Base, resulting in the total destruction of the plane but no reported injuries.

What happened

During ground operations at Palmdale Air Force Base, an aircraft experienced a fire while traveling along the taxiway. Upon detecting the flames, the crew performed an emergency stop to halt the movement of the vehicle. Following the stoppage, all occupants successfully exited the cabin before the situation escalated.

Despite the rapid evacuation, the fire intensified over the following 45 minutes. The blaze was so severe that it resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft. There were no fatalities or injuries reported during the incident.

Findings

The specific origin of the fire has not been determined, and the cause of the event remains unknown.

Probable cause

The cause of the aircraft fire is currently undetermined.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 25 May 1970 Lockheed C-5 Galaxy accident near Palmdale AFB, United States of America?

An aircraft caught fire while taxiing at Palmdale Air Force Base, resulting in the total destruction of the plane but no reported injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 25 May 1970 Lockheed C-5 Galaxy accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 25 May 1970 involved a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, registration 67-0172, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Palmdale AFB, United States of America.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The cause of the aircraft fire is currently undetermined.