What happened
On the night of the accident, the Lockheed EC-121, registration 55-0136, departed from Otis Air Force Base at 21:33 for an active air defense mission. The flight was instructed to climb to 15,000 feet and proceed toward station #2 via Nantucket and the Cod intersection. During the transit, the aircraft was reported over the Cod intersection at 21:49.
At roughly 22:10, the crew declared an emergency after reporting that the number three engine had caught fire. Subsequent communications to Brunswick Approach Control and a KC-135 indicated that the situation had worsened; the number two engine had also failed, while the number three engine remained on fire with its propeller feathered. The aircraft was positioned approximately 125 nautical miles from the Nantucket Tacan on the 090 degree radial.
In an attempt to reach land, the pilot turned the aircraft toward a heading of 270 degrees magnetic. At 22:13, the pilot notified controllers that they were preparing to ditch the aircraft due to the dual engine failures and ongoing fire. The ditching occurred at 22:22. Upon impact with the water, the fuselage broke into two sections near the galley area and the APS 103 station, with significant wing separation also occurring.
Findings
The following details were noted regarding the aftermath of the crash:
- The incident resulted in 9 fatalities and 3 survivors, while 7 crew members remained missing and were presumed dead.
- Rescue efforts were conducted the following morning by whale boats from the German Navy Destroyer "D170" and the US Destroyer "Barry".
- The wreckage was located at coordinates 41 degrees 40 minutes north, 67 degrees 37 minutes west.
- The primary cause of the accident was an engine fire in flight.