Narrative:
The Boeing KC-97F Stratofreighter was en route to Tampa, Florida, USA over the Atlantic Ocean when propellers no.2 and 3 were feathered following a loss of oil.'
Six minutes later, at 20:16, the decision was made to ditch the aircraft. The ditching was carried out in calm waters, 70 km east off Tampa at 20:21. The first ship arrived on the scene at 23:15 hours and found three survivors. A helicopter and another ship rescued additional survivors after midnight.
The next morning the aircraft was being towed to shore, but sank in the process. The wreckage was rediscovered on June 6, 2015 in 365 feet of water.
» Tampa Times, 31 March 1960
» US Crashes 1950-2002 / Jan van Waarde
| Status: | |
| Date: | Wednesday 30 March 1960 |
| Time: | 20:21 |
| Type: |  Boeing KC-97F Stratofreighter |
| Operator: | United States Air Force - USAF |
| Registration: | 51-0363 |
| MSN: | 16430 |
| First flight: | |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 9 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 14 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | 70 km E off Cape Canaveral, FL, USA ( Atlantic Ocean)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Stephenville-Ernest Harmon AFB, NL (YJT/CYJT), Canada |
| Tampa-MacDill AFB, FL (MCF/KMCF), United States of America |
The Boeing KC-97F Stratofreighter was en route to Tampa, Florida, USA over the Atlantic Ocean when propellers no.2 and 3 were feathered following a loss of oil.'
Six minutes later, at 20:16, the decision was made to ditch the aircraft. The ditching was carried out in calm waters, 70 km east off Tampa at 20:21. The first ship arrived on the scene at 23:15 hours and found three survivors. A helicopter and another ship rescued additional survivors after midnight.
The next morning the aircraft was being towed to shore, but sank in the process. The wreckage was rediscovered on June 6, 2015 in 365 feet of water.
Classification:
Ditching
Sources:
» Youngstown Vindicator 31 March 1960, p1» Tampa Times, 31 March 1960
» US Crashes 1950-2002 / Jan van Waarde
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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 Stephenville-Ernest Harmon AFB, NL to Tampa-MacDill AFB, FL as the crow flies is 3063 km (1915 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
Distance from Stephenville-Ernest Harmon AFB, NL to Tampa-MacDill AFB, FL as the crow flies is 3063 km (1915 miles).
Accident location: Global; accuracy within tens or hundreds of kilometers.
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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Boeing C-97
- 888 built
- 23rd loss
- 18th fatal accident
- 16th worst accident (at the time)
- 25th worst accident (currently)
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