Narrative:
The P-3 Orion aircraft departed at 08:36 on a ship surveillance mission. Approximately two hours after takeoff the aircraft reported all systems essential to the mission were operating normally. No further radio contact was made. At 11:20 the aircraft struck a mountain on a small island named El Hierro, at an altitude of 2300 ft msl. The top of the mountain was at 5200 ft msl. Visibility at the crash site was 50 meters in rain. The aircraft impacted in level flight at 220 knots. All engines were operating, except for #1, which was shutdown for loiter.
The PPC, navigator, radar operator and flight engineer were at the NCO club until 02:00 local, consuming alcoholic beverages. The post mortem showed that the navigator had experienced a myocardial infarction.
The island was located inside the northwest corner of the assigned patrol area. It is very possible that the crew was unaware of the island.
PROBABLE CAUSE FACTORS:
Flight crew - violation of natops regarding alcohol consumption/crew rest prior to flight.
Supervisory/squadron - failure to implement an effective aircrew surveillance program.
CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR:
Flight crew complacency - nonadherence to sound navigation procedures.
POSSIBLE CAUSE FACTOR:
TSC briefing display omission of the three Canary Islands.
Weather conditions - fog and rain.
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
» P-3 Orion Aircraft Location Report (P-3 Orion Research Group - The Netherlands)
» US Crashes 1950-2002 / Jan van Waarde
» US Navy and US Marine Corps Aircraft Serial Numbers and Bureau Numbers--1911 to Present / Joe Baugher
» VPNavy.org
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Sunday 11 December 1977 |
| Time: | 11:20 |
| Type: |  Lockheed P-3B Orion |
| Operator: | United States Navy |
| Registration: | 153428 |
| MSN: | 185-5225 |
| First flight: | 1967 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 13 / Occupants: 13 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 13 / Occupants: 13 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | El Hierro, Canary Islands ( Spain)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Military |
| Departure airport: | Terceira-Lajes AFB, Azores (TER/LPLA), Portugal |
| Terceira-Lajes AFB, Azores (TER/LPLA), Portugal |
The P-3 Orion aircraft departed at 08:36 on a ship surveillance mission. Approximately two hours after takeoff the aircraft reported all systems essential to the mission were operating normally. No further radio contact was made. At 11:20 the aircraft struck a mountain on a small island named El Hierro, at an altitude of 2300 ft msl. The top of the mountain was at 5200 ft msl. Visibility at the crash site was 50 meters in rain. The aircraft impacted in level flight at 220 knots. All engines were operating, except for #1, which was shutdown for loiter.
The PPC, navigator, radar operator and flight engineer were at the NCO club until 02:00 local, consuming alcoholic beverages. The post mortem showed that the navigator had experienced a myocardial infarction.
The island was located inside the northwest corner of the assigned patrol area. It is very possible that the crew was unaware of the island.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE FACTORS:
Flight crew - violation of natops regarding alcohol consumption/crew rest prior to flight.
Supervisory/squadron - failure to implement an effective aircrew surveillance program.
CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR:
Flight crew complacency - nonadherence to sound navigation procedures.
POSSIBLE CAUSE FACTOR:
TSC briefing display omission of the three Canary Islands.
Weather conditions - fog and rain.
Classification:
Flightcrew member's alcohol, drug usageControlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Mountain
Sources:
» Brunswick Times Record December 12, 1977» P-3 Orion Aircraft Location Report (P-3 Orion Research Group - The Netherlands)
» US Crashes 1950-2002 / Jan van Waarde
» US Navy and US Marine Corps Aircraft Serial Numbers and Bureau Numbers--1911 to Present / Joe Baugher
» VPNavy.org
Photos
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.
languages: 
Spain
Share
Lockheed P-3
- 757 built
- 23rd loss
- 20th fatal accident
- 3rd worst accident (at the time)
- 6th worst accident (currently)
Spain- 26th worst accident (at the time)
- 34th worst accident (currently)
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2023 Flight Safety Foundation