Andersen - Hickam - Loring
Flight / Schedule
Andersen - Hickam - Loring
Aircraft
Boeing KC-135 StratotankerRegistration
55-3133
MSN
17249
Year of Manufacture
1957
Operator
United States Air Force - USAFDate
September 24, 1968 at 12:00 AM
Type
CRASHFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Crash Location
Wake Island United States Minor Outlying Islands
Region
North America • United States of America
Crash Cause
Technical failure
Narrative Report
On September 24, 1968 at 12:00 AM, Andersen - Hickam - Loring experienced a crash involving Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Wake Island United States Minor Outlying Islands.
The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.
56 people were known to be on board, 11 fatalities were recorded, 45 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 19.6%.
Crew on board: 4, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 52, passenger fatalities: 11, other fatalities: 0.
The listed crash cause is technical failure. En route from Andersen AFB (GUam Island) to Hickam, Honolulu, the crew reported engine problems and the captain decided to divert to Wake Island Airport. On short final, the aircraft was too low and struck approach lights. On impact, the empennage was torn off and the aircraft crashed in flames. Eleven passengers were killed while 45 other occupants were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed.
Aircraft reference details include registration 55-3133, MSN 17249, year of manufacture 1957.
Fatalities
Total
11
Crew
0
Passengers
11
Other
0
Crash Summary
En route from Andersen AFB (GUam Island) to Hickam, Honolulu, the crew reported engine problems and the captain decided to divert to Wake Island Airport. On short final, the aircraft was too low and struck approach lights. On impact, the empennage was torn off and the aircraft crashed in flames. Eleven passengers were killed while 45 other occupants were rescued. The aircraft was destroyed.
Cause: Technical failure
Occupants & Outcome
Crew On Board
4
Passengers On Board
52
Estimated Survivors
45
Fatality Rate
19.6%
Known people on board: 56
Operational Details
Schedule / Flight
Andersen - Hickam - Loring
Operator
United States Air Force - USAFFlight Type
Military
Flight Phase
Landing (descent or approach)
Crash Site
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Region / Country
North America • United States of America
Aircraft Details
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