Accident description
Last updated: 20 May 2013
| Status: | |
| Date: | 24 SEP 1968 |
| Type: | Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker |
| Operator: | United States Air Force - USAF |
| Registration: | 55-3133 |
| C/n / msn: | 17249/16 |
| First flight: | 1957-07-18 (11 years 2 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 6681 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney J57-P |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 52 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 56 |
| Airplane damage: | Destroyed |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Wake Island Airport (AWK) (Micronesia)
 |
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Guam-Andersen AFB (UAM/PGUA), Guam |
| Honolulu-Hickam AFB, HI (HIK), United States of America |
The KC-135 transport plane was en route from Guam (UAM) to Loring AFB, ME with en route stops at Honolulu-Hickam AFB, HI (HIK) and California. Over the Pacific Ocean the airplane developed engine problems. They crew decided to divert to Wake Island Airport (AWK). On final approach the airplane contacted the surface of the water and bounced onto the east end of the runway. It struck ILS aerials and burst into flames.
Passengers were Strategic Air Command personnel returning from duty in Guam.
Sources:
» The Miami News - Sep 24, 1968
» Lodi News-Sentinel - Sep 24, 1968
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Guam-Andersen AFB to Honolulu-Hickam AFB, HI as the crow flies is 6059 km (3787 miles).
Distance from Guam-Andersen AFB to Honolulu-Hickam AFB, HI as the crow flies is 6059 km (3787 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
