Accident Flight
Southern Air Transport's LOGAIR 15 flight, a Lockheed L-382G, was a domestic cargo flight operating under 14 CFR Part 121 on a military contract. The flight was cleared for takeoff from Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, at approximately 0405 on October 4, 1986, on an instrument flight plan to Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. Three flightcrew members were aboard.
Accident Sequence
All communications with the air traffic control tower were routine. Radar data recorded that the airplane reached an altitude of about 700 feet above ground level after takeoff. Witnesses reported an abnormally steep climb attitude, followed by a turn and/or bank to the left. The airplane continued to roll to the left and struck the ramp area at about a 90° angle to the departure runway in a near-inverted attitude between two hangars, then exploded. A severe ground fire ensued. All three flightcrew members were killed in the accident.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause of this accident was "the use by the carrier of a non approved device designed to raise the elevator during loading operations which was not properly stowed by the flightcrew and which lodged in the Controls, preventing the flightcrew from controlling the airplane during takeoff."