1968 — Sep 24, USAF Stratotanker engine problem, crash landing at Wake Island AP– 11

–11 AP. “Plane Crashes on Wake; 11 Die.” The Corpus Christi Times, RX. 9-24-1968, pp. 1, 12.
–11 Aviation Safety Network. USAF Stratotanker landing crash Wake Island AP 24 Sep 1968.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database:
“Date: Tuesday 24 September 1968
“Type: Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker
“Operator: United States Air Force – USAF
“Registration: 55-3133
“MSN: 17249/16
“First flight: 1957-07-18 (11 years 2 months)
“Total airframe hrs: 6681 ….
“Cres: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
“Passengers: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 52
Total: Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 56
….
“Location: Wake Island Airport…
“Phase: Approach (APR)
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Guam-Andersen AFB…
“Destination airport: Honolulu-Hickam AFV, HI
“Narrative:

“The KC-135 transport plane was en route from U-Tapao, Thailand and Guam to Loring AFB, ME with en route stops at Honolulu-Hickam AFB, HI (HIK) and California. Over the Pacific Ocean the airplane developed engine problems. They crew decided to divert to Wake Island Airport (AWK). On final approach the airplane contacted the surface of the water and bounced onto the east end of the runway. It struck ILS aerials and burst into flames. Passengers were 509th Bomb Wing personnel returning from duty in Thailand.”

Sep 24, AP: “Omaha, Neb. (AP) – An Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker with 56 men aboard crashed at Wake Island early today and 11 were reported killed, Strategic Air Command Headquarters reported. Twenty-three other passengers were injured when the plane crashed while attempting an emergency landing, a SAC spokesman said.

“All passengers were SAC personnel returning from overseas duty, SAD said. Fourteen of the injured men were evacuated by air to Guam.

“SAC said the tanker was en route to the United States from Anderson AFB at Guam when engine trouble developed and the plane attempted the emergency landing. The plane was assigned to the 45th Air Division at Loring AFB, Maine….” (AP. “Plane Crashes on Wake; 11 Die.” The Corpus Christi Times, RX. 9-24-1968, pp. 1, 12.)

Sources

AP. “Plane Crashes on Wake; 11 Die.” The Corpus Christi Times, RX. 9-24-1968, pp. 1, 12. Accessed 7-17-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/corpus-christi-times-sep-24-1968-p-1/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database. USAF Stratotanker landing crash Wake Island AP 24 Sep 1968. Accessed 7-17-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19680924-0