Loring - Loring

On January 4, 1965 at 09:00 AM, Loring - Loring experienced a crash involving Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Loring AFB Maine.

The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

4 people were known to be on board, 4 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 4, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The aircraft departed Loring AFB at 0900LT for a six hour training mission. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the airplane suffered severe turbulences and the number three engine drag brace failed due to a missing nut. The engine swung up in front of the wing, causing a severe roll to the left. The aggressive control inputs in an attempt to level the aircraft resulted in both the #3 and #4 engines separating from the wing. The aircraft then entered a 90° right bank, plunges into the earth and crashed in a wooded area located 2,4 miles north of the runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed. Crew: Cpt Kenneth Gomes, pilot, Cpt Matthew Ramstsch, copilot, 1st Lt John McCarron, navigator, S/Sgt Jimmy Tardie, boom operator.

Aircraft reference details include registration 61-0265, MSN 18172, year of manufacture 1961.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 46.9497°, -67.8927°.