Fatal Accident (7 crew; 23 on the ground) – USAF USAF Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker, 57-1442, 11 km NNW Wichita-McConnell AFB, KS (IAB), January 16, 1965
OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY REPORT: Report Not Available
OFFICIAL FINAL REPORT: Report Not Available
SOURCE Report:
On January 16, 1965, a U.S. Air Force Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker, registration 57-1442, crashed shortly after taking off from McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. The aircraft was on a local training mission when it experienced control issues shortly after departure. Loaded with approximately 31,000 gallons of jet fuel, the aircraft gained little altitude before entering significant yaw and rolling into an inverted attitude. Just three minutes after takeoff, the aircraft impacted a residential neighborhood at the intersection of Piatt and 20th Streets.
The crash resulted in the deaths of all seven crew members aboard and 23 residents on the ground, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Kansas and the second-deadliest in U.S. history involving ground fatalities. At least 27 other people were injured on the ground, with significant damage to homes in the affected area. The incident caused a massive explosion and fire due to the large amount of jet fuel onboard.
Investigations revealed that a rudder control system malfunction was the primary cause of the accident. Initial rumors suggested that a drag chute from a preceding F-105 Thunderchief may have become entangled in the KC-135, but these claims were not substantiated. Eyewitnesses reported the jettisoning of the crew entry door, and unconfirmed reports indicated that one crew member attempted to bail out.
The U.S. Air Force issued a report ten months later confirming that the rudder control system failure was insurmountable for the crew. The crash highlighted vulnerabilities in aircraft systems and underscored the challenges of managing emergencies during high-stress conditions. The site of the crash is now marked by the Piatt Memorial Park, established in 1971, and a granite monument dedicated to the victims was added in 2007.
The accident serves as a somber reminder of the complexities and risks associated with military aviation, as well as the importance of rigorous training and system reliability. The incident remains a critical case study for understanding emergency management in aviation and the interplay of mechanical and operational factors in catastrophic outcomes.
Aircraft Operator:
United States Airforce
Video(s):
https://x.com/OnDisasters/status/1879665811046154566
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdjZFxAuJ6g
Accident Location:
11 km NNW Wichita-McConnell AFB, KS (IAB)
37.7202°N 97.3131°W (https://g.co/kgs/TmdAwgm)
ASN:
https://x.com/OnDisasters/status/1879665811046154566
USAF Registration:
57-1442
Year of Manufacture:
1958
SN/Military Registration/BUNO:
17513/122
Facebook:
n/a
X/Twitter (reports+videos):
https://x.com/OnDisasters/status/1879665811046154566
https://x.com/OnDisasters/status/1879665817455141068
ADS-B Exchange:
n/a
FlightAware:
n/a
flightradar24:
n/a
AirNav.radar:
n/a
National Report(s):
Archived
Local Report(s):
https://www.kansas.com/news/article986534.html
Image Reference(s):
https://www.kansas.com/news/article986534.html
https://x.com/OnDisasters/status/1879665811046154566
https://x.com/OnDisasters/status/1879665817455141068
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