Narrative:
During a practice alert at Lockbourne AFB, two KC-135 Stratotankers (63-7989 and 63-7980) taxied from an unlit ramp towards the runway. Both aircraft collided while manoeuvring off the ramp. Stratotanker 63-7989 continued 200 yards before coming to a stop in a muddy, grassy section just off the concrete apron. Flames engulfed the tanker from the cockpit to the mid-section and burned two large holes in the plane.
Damaged on the ground
» Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More Than Just a Tanker (Aerofax Series) / Robert S Hopkins, III
accident date: 08-03-1973
type: Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker
registration: 63-7989
accident date: 08-03-1973
type: Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker
registration: 63-7989
accident date: 08-03-1973
type: Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker
registration: 63-7989
| Status: | |
| Date: | Thursday 8 March 1973 |
| Type: |  Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker |
| Operator: | United States Air Force - USAF |
| Registration: | 63-7989 |
| MSN: | 18606/645 |
| First flight: | 1963-09-17 (9 years 6 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 4933 |
| Engines: | 4 Pratt & Whitney J57-P |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 5 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Columbus-Lockbourne AFB, OH (LCK) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | Taxi (TXI) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Columbus-Lockbourne AFB, OH (LCK/KLCK), United States of America |
| ? |
During a practice alert at Lockbourne AFB, two KC-135 Stratotankers (63-7989 and 63-7980) taxied from an unlit ramp towards the runway. Both aircraft collided while manoeuvring off the ramp. Stratotanker 63-7989 continued 200 yards before coming to a stop in a muddy, grassy section just off the concrete apron. Flames engulfed the tanker from the cockpit to the mid-section and burned two large holes in the plane.
Classification:
Ground collisionDamaged on the ground
Sources:
» Marysville Journal-Tribune (March 9, 1973)» Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More Than Just a Tanker (Aerofax Series) / Robert S Hopkins, III
Photos
accident date: 08-03-1973
type: Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker
registration: 63-7989
accident date: 08-03-1973
type: Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker
registration: 63-7989
accident date: 08-03-1973
type: Boeing KC-135A-BN Stratotanker
registration: 63-7989
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.
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