Incident Overview
An aircraft returning to Elmendorf Air Force Base (AFB) after a training mission struck a mountainside during descent. The accident occurred approximately 28 miles northwest of the base. The aircraft was destroyed on impact.
Crew and Fatalities
The aircraft carried 11 crew members, all of whom were killed in the crash.
Flight Profile
The crew was descending to an altitude of 2,000 feet when the aircraft collided with the slope of a mountain. According to investigators, the crew began the approach to Elmendorf AFB prematurely. The specific reason for this premature initiation of the approach remains undetermined.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that the aircraft's impact with the mountain was the result of the crew starting the approach too early. However, no definitive cause for this premature action was identified.