What happened
Approximately one hour following its takeoff from Rota NAS, Spain, an aircraft was performing a scheduled flight toward Souday BAY AFB in Chania, Greece. While traveling at a cruising altitude of 800 meters, the four-engine aircraft impacted the side of Jebel Musa, a mountain reaching an elevation of 851 meters. The accident occurred near the Spanish enclave of Ceuta under conditions described as marginal weather.
The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There were 14 fatalities among the occupants, with no survivors reported. The aircraft was operating as part of a routine mission out of Brunswick Air Base, Maine.
Findings
- The flight was operating in marginal weather conditions at the time of the accident.
- The aircraft struck terrain that was higher than its established cruising altitude.