Narrative:
The EC-121 taxied out to the runway for a routine training mission. Then the left main landing gear suddenly collapsed and the left wing struck the ground. The aircraft started to rotate rapidly to the left and the right tip tank snapped off, rupturing the fuel tanks. A fire erupted and the aircraft was evacuated.
The gear reportedly failed due to stress corrosion.
» The White Falcon / March 24, 1978
accident date: 15-03-1978
type: Lockheed EC-121T Super Constellation
registration: 55-0121
| Status: | |
| Date: | Wednesday 15 March 1978 |
| Time: | 08:47 |
| Type: |  Lockheed EC-121T Super Constellation |
| Operator: | United States Air Force - USAF |
| Registration: | 55-0121 |
| MSN: | 4394 |
| First flight: | 1956 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 16 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 17 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Aircraft fate: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Location: | Reykjavík-Naval Air Station Keflavík (KEF) ( Iceland)
|
| Crash site elevation: | 52 m (171 feet) amsl |
| Phase: | Taxi (TXI) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Keflavík Naval Air Station (KEF/BIKF), Iceland |
| Keflavík Naval Air Station (KEF/BIKF), Iceland |
The EC-121 taxied out to the runway for a routine training mission. Then the left main landing gear suddenly collapsed and the left wing struck the ground. The aircraft started to rotate rapidly to the left and the right tip tank snapped off, rupturing the fuel tanks. A fire erupted and the aircraft was evacuated.
The gear reportedly failed due to stress corrosion.
Sources:
» USAF EC-121T Accident (55-0121) / Captain James T Webb -- Air Forces Iceland» The White Falcon / March 24, 1978
Photos
accident date: 15-03-1978
type: Lockheed EC-121T Super Constellation
registration: 55-0121
Map
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.
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
