Country
Crash of a Boeing E-3C Sentry at Nellis AFB
Date & Time:
Aug 28, 2009 at 1800 LT
Operator:
Registration:
83-0008
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tinker AFB - Nellis AFB
MSN:
22836/962
YOM:
1983
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a Red Flag exercice from Tinker AFB, the aircraft was returning to Nellis AFB. Upon landing, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft slid on the runway for few dozen metres before coming to rest, bursting into flames. All 32 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The nose gear collapsed upon landing for unknown reasons.
Crash of a Boeing E-3A Sentry in Preveza
Date & Time:
Jul 14, 1996
Registration:
LX-N90457
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Preveza - Geilenkirchen
MSN:
22852
YOM:
1984
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight from Preveza to the Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base in Germany. During the takeoff roll at Preveza-Aktion Airport, after V1 speed, the pilot-in-command heard a loud noise. Thinking this was the consequence of a bird strike, he decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking manoeuvre. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, struck a dyke and came to rest partially submerged in the sea. All 16 occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Investigations revealed there were no indications of a possible bird strike during takeoff.
Crash of a Boeing E-3B Sentry at Elmendorf AFB: 24 killed
Date & Time:
Sep 22, 1995 at 0747 LT
Operator:
Registration:
77-0354
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Elmendorf - Elmendorf
MSN:
21554
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
Yukla 27
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
The aircraft was dispatched out from Elmendorf AFB on an AWACS survey mission under call sign Yukla 27, carrying 20 passengers and four crew members. Shortly after takeoff from runway 05, while in initial climb, the aircraft collided with a flock of Canada geese that struck both left engines n°1 and 2. The aircraft climbed to a maximum height of about 250 feet when the engine n°1 failed and the engine n°2 exploded. The aircraft entered an uncontrolled left roll, causing the left wing to struck trees. Out of control, it crashed in a huge explosion in a wooded area located about a mile from the runway end. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 24 occupants were killed. Numerous dead geese were found at the crash site.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control and subsequent crash was the consequence of a collision with Canada geese during initial climb. Investigations revealed that a USAF Lockheed C-130 just took off from the same runway about two minutes prior to the accident. At that time, numerous geese were standing near the runway end and were probably disturbed by the C-130 low pass. All geese took off and remained hovering at low height. This phenomenon was spotted by the tower controller who failed to warn the Sentry crew accordingly. It was also determined that there was no efficient program to detect and deter bird hazard at Elmendorf AFB.
