Accident description
Last updated: 20 June 2013
| Status: | |
| Date: | 01 DEC 1992 |
| Time: | 21:20 |
| Type: | Lockheed C-141B Starlifter |
| Operator: | United States Air Force - USAF |
| Registration: | 66-0142 |
| C/n / msn: | 300-6168 |
| First flight: | |
| Total airframe hrs: | 31857 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-7 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 6 / Occupants: 6 |
| Collision casualties: | Fatalities: 7 |
| Airplane damage: | Destroyed |
| Airplane fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | 14 km (8.8 mls) N of Harlem, MT (United States of America)
 |
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Tacoma-McChord AFB, WA (TCM/KTCM), United States of America |
| Tacoma-McChord AFB, WA (TCM/KTCM), United States of America |
Four Lockheed C-141B Starlifters were night air refueling/airdrop training mission. A KC-135 tanker was leading the Starlifters in a refueling pattern at FL255. The first Starlifter completed refueling and backed away to the left behind the KC-135 at FL250. It remained at an unusally close position. When the second C-141 had completed refueling it also backed away to the left, unaware of the unusual position of the first C-141. Both aircraft collided, breaking up in mid-air.
Events:
Sources:
» C-141 Lifetime Mishap Summary / Lt. Col. Paul M. Hansen, USAFR, Ret. McChord AFB WA (1 October, 2004)
» The Spokesman-Review - Dec 1, 1992
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 Tacoma-McChord AFB, WA to Tacoma-McChord AFB, WA as the crow flies is 0 km (0 miles).
Distance from Tacoma-McChord AFB, WA to Tacoma-McChord AFB, WA as the crow flies is 0 km (0 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.
