Thule - Söndreströmfjord

On August 28, 1976 at 11:45 AM, Thule - Söndreströmfjord experienced a crash involving Lockheed C-141 Starlifter, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Sondreströmfjord (Kangerlussuaq) Qeqqata Kommunia.

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.

27 people were known to be on board, 23 fatalities were recorded, 4 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 85.2%.

Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 7, passengers on board: 19, passenger fatalities: 16, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The aircraft departed Thule Air Base on Greenland for a two-hour flight to Sonderstromfjord Air Base. From Sonderstromfjord it was to return to Thule and continue back home to McGuire AFB. The flight carried enough fuel for the flight to McGuire. Following a PAR approach the airplane landed slightly long on the 9235 feet long runway 11. The aircraft rolled for 1,500 to 2,000 feet with no thrust reverse or spoiler deployment. A go around was commenced. The plane then rotated abruptly and lifted off the runway with a pitch attitude as high as 45°. The aircraft stalled. The left wing struck the ground and burst into flames. The aircraft became airborne again with portions of the left wing missing. It flew for 650 feet before striking the ground with the right wing, causing it to catch fire. It then bounced once more and disintegrated 500 feet from runway centerline. Source: C-141 Lifetime Mishap Summary / Lt. Col. Paul M. Hansen

Aircraft reference details include registration 67-0008, MSN 300-6257, year of manufacture 1967.