Date:	Thursday 12 July 1984
Time:
Type:	Lockheed C-141B Starlifter
Owner/operator:	United States Air Force - USAF
Registration:	64-0624
MSN:	300-6037
Total airframe hrs:	27379 hours
Engine model:	Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-7
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed, written off
Category:	Accident
Location:	near Sigonella Naval Air Field (NSY) -   Italy
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Military
Departure airport:	Sigonella Naval Air Field (NSY/LICZ)
Destination airport:	Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO/HKJK)

Narrative:
Immediately after takeoff from Sigonella NAS on the Italian island of Sicily, the aircraft’s no. 3 engine experienced an uncontained failure. Debris was ejected and the caused no. 4 engine to also fail. Debris also severed the elevator trim electrical cables, eliminating any trim during flap retraction. Further debris entered the cargo compartment, starting a fire in a pallet containing paint. The cargo fire produced thick poisonous smoke which made visual control of aircraft extremely difficult. The aircraft entered a steep bank and crashed within 198 seconds of takeoff.
Post crash toxicology indicated the crew had received potentially fatal levels of cyanide poisoning from the smoke, prior to impact. Subsequent to this accident, smoke goggles were added to crew oxygen masks.
The aircraft operated on a service to Diego Garcia with a planned refueling and crew change stop at Nairobi, Kenya.

C-141 Lifetime Mishap Summary / Lt. Col. Paul M. Hansen, USAFR, Ret. McChord AFB WA (1 October, 2004)

photo (c) Wes Maxwell; Alexandria-England AFB, LA (AEX/KAEX); 1983

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