Flight History
The Hercules aircraft departed Travis Air Force Base at 14:45 for the second of a series of local training flights. Approaches and practice landings were conducted at McClellan Air Force Base before returning to Travis. A runway 21L ILS approach and full stop landing were scheduled to be performed by a first officer candidate.
Accident Sequence
During the approach, a balked landing occurred, forcing the captain to assume control and initiate a go-around. As the throttles were advanced, both the number one and number two engines decelerated. Subsequently, the aircraft banked left and struck the airport perimeter fence in a nose-low and steep left-wing low attitude.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be inadequate Southern Air Transport engine maintenance, which allowed the accumulation of oil residues in the engine compressor sections until two engines were incapable of responding to rapid demands for increased power. Contributing to the accident was the continuation of the go-around by the captain after power had been lost from two engines and the movement of the flap handle to the flaps retracted position during the go-around.