ASN Aircraft accident Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker 57-1489 Phoenix-Luke AFB, AZ (LUF)
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Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Saturday 13 March 1982
Time:10:51
Type:Silhouette image of generic K35A model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker
Operator:United States Air Force - USAF
Registration: 57-1489
MSN: 17560/169
First flight: 1958-10-30 (23 years 5 months)
Total airframe hrs:10650
Engines: 4 Pratt & Whitney J57-P
Crew:Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Passengers:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 4
Collision casualties:Fatalities: 2
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:9 km (5.6 mls) SW of Phoenix-Luke AFB, AZ (LUF) (   United States of America)
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature:Military
Departure airport:Phoenix-Luke AFB, AZ (LUF/KLUF), United States of America
Destination airport:Phoenix-Luke AFB, AZ (LUF/KLUF), United States of America
Narrative:
The KC-135 was on an IFR flight plan and was returning to Luke AFB. The crew were carrying out a TACAN runway 3L approach. At the same time a Grumman-American AA-1 Yankee (N6160L) was in the area. The airplane had just departed from Phoenix-Sky Harbor Airport and was flying in a special traffic area where he was requested to be at or below 2000 feet. The AA-1 however, flew at 2500 feet skimming along the cloud base. The KC-135 descended through the cloud deck and collided with the AA-1. The empennage of the KC-135A separated. Control was lost and the airplane crashed inverted. The AA-1 crashed as well.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "VFR procedures - improper - pilot of other aircraft".

Classification:
Mid air collision
Loss of control

Sources:
» Arizona Wreck Chasing
» NTSB


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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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