Phoenix - Luke AFB

On March 13, 1982 at 10:50 AM, Phoenix - Luke AFB experienced a crash involving Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker, operated by United States Air Force - USAF, with the event recorded near Luke AFB Arizona.

The flight was categorized as training and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) 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 human factor. The KC-135A aircraft departed Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport at 0755 MST for a scheduled 3-hour and 30-minute flight. After completing the navigation leg, the aircraft descended into the Phoenix area for transition at Luke AFB. After completing one TACAN approach at Luke AFB, the KC-135A aircraft was vectored to Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport for an ILS touch-and-go landing. The aircraft was then vectored back to the final approach course for a TACAN runway 03 left approach at Luke AFB. The KC-135A aircraft was cleared for the approach to Luke AFB, and after the final approach fix radio call, a midair collision occurred with a Grumman American Yankee civilian aircraft. The empennage of the KC-135A separated, rendering the aircraft incapable of flight and it was destroyed upon ground impact. The Grumman American Yankee aircraft was destroyed during the midair collision. The four crew members in the KC-135A and the two civilians in the Grumman American Yankee were fatalities. Crew: LT Col James N. Floor, Lt Col Ted L. Beam, Maj Truman R. Young Jr., T/Sgt Donald J. Plough.

Aircraft reference details include registration 57-1489, MSN 17560/169, year of manufacture 1958.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 33.5354°, -112.3735°.