Aviation Accident: Tail Strike and Crash After Engine Failure (145927)

Incident Overview and Sequence of Events During the flight, engine number four was shut down due to a generator overheating. On final approach, the aircraft became unstable and lost altitude. The crew was aware that the first 1,000 feet of runway 35L were unserviceable for repairs, prompting them to increase power on the three remaining engines. At approximately 40 feet, the tail stalled and struck the runway surface. The aircraft then crashed in flames and hit several pieces of ground equipment. ## Casualties and Damage The crash resulted in 23 occupant fatalities and injuries to eight occupants and two people on the ground. The impact destroyed two trucks, an F-4D Phantom, and several military equipment items. The deceased included Lt Cdr Harvey C. K. Aiua, Lt Cdr Harry C. Martin, Lt Robin A. Pearce, Lt George L. Morningstar, Lt(jg) James M. Masters, Lt(jg) Charles E. Pressler, Lt(jg) Jean P. Souzon, CO0 William J. Risse, P01 Larry O. Marchbank, P01 Arthur D. Simmons, P01 Donald W. Wilson, P02 Floyd E. Andrus, P02 Gregory J. Asbeck, P02 William P. Bletsch, P02 Guy T. Denton, P02 Joseph S. Saukaitis, P02 John S. Schaefer, P02 Stuart J. Scruggs, P02 Barry M. Searby, P03 John M. Birch, P03 Thurle E. Case, P03 Ben A. hughes, and P03 Ralph S. Purhum. ## Probable Cause The official findings indicated that the copilot, who was in command at the time, leveled the aircraft in an inappropriate position on short final. The captain failed to properly supervise the copilot's operations, which prevented timely correction of the situation.