Colorado Spings - McClellan

On February 9, 1974 at 12:00 AM, Colorado Spings - McClellan experienced a crash involving Rockwell T-39 Sabreliner, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Colorado Springs Colorado.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.

7 people were known to be on board, 7 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 5, passenger fatalities: 5, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The airplane departed Peterson AFB (Colorado Springs) on a flight to McClellan AFB with five passengers and two pilots on board. After departure, the crew reported problems with the undercarriage but was able to climb to FL230. A USAF Boeing NKC-135 registered 55-3120 was cruising in the region, enroute from Seattle to Kirtland AFB with 18 people on board. Its crew offered to proceed to a visual inspection of the underside part of the Sabreliner and positioned in a such manner. In unknown circumstances, the Sabreliner hit the top of the tail of the NKC-135. Out of control, the Sabreliner entered a dive and crashed in a huge explosion, killing all seven occupants. The NKC-135 was able to continue its flight and to land without further problems at Kirtland AFB.

Aircraft reference details include registration 60-3506, MSN 265-34, year of manufacture 1960.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 38.8340°, -104.8253°.