Date:January 31, 1968
Copyright © - Nicholas Williams
Copyright © - USAF Photo
Copyright © - USAF Photo
Copyright © - USAF Photo
>Paying tribute to fallen comrades.
Copyright © - USAF Photo Source:60th Air Mobility Wing History Office.
Copyright © - USAF Photo Source:60th Air Mobility Wing History Office.
Copyright © - USAF Photo Source:60th Air Mobility Wing History Office.
Feb 81
Copyright © - Paul Minert
This aircraft was damaged beyond repair in a taxi accident at Travis AFB on 15 October, 1986. Read the full story below:
Synopsis: Returning from short stateside mission at night, the crew was directed
to park in an unusual parking location. While being marshaled into the parking
spot, the left wing struck a high intensity light pole. A resulting fire
destroyed the left wing. There were only minor injuries.
A reserve crew was returning from a UTA "pickup" mission. While approaching
Travis, they were advised that there had been a bomb threat at the passenger
terminal. The crew was directed to park in a parking spot which, unknown to them,
was normally reserved for tow-in parking. The A/C twice deplaned the scanner to
complain about the marshaling procedure. Convinced by the lead marshaler that "we
do it all the time", and with a wing walker on each wing, and a pilot in the left
window, they followed the marshaler s instructions. While starting a hard right
turn the crew felt a bump. The left wing had struck a light pole, rupturing the
#1 Main tank.
Fuel ran down the light pole and into a high voltage junction box at the base of
the pole, igniting a fire that spread back up the pole and onto the wing. The
crew and passengers evacuated out the crew entrance door. The fire department was
able to contain the fire to the left wing.
Investigation revealed that this parking spot was a "tow-in" only spot, as the
pilot had told the marshaling team. They determined that the marshaler on the
left wing was still giving a "come ahead" signal at the time of the impact. He
was fixated on why the wing position light "blinked" (It had passed behind the
light pole).
This accident happened after a string of MAC taxi accidents. Only months before
CINCMAC had issued a message threatening strong disciplinary action and that the
next crew to have a taxi accident was "walking on thin ice".
In 1989, the right wing from this aircraft was removed to replace the right wing
of aircraft 67-0029, which was damaged in a landing accident at Iwakuni AB,
Japan. The fuselage of aircraft 65-0246, minus wings, remained mothballed at
Travis, and was used as a ground trainer for some time.
Source:Dave Grant
From his collection.
Source:AF Photo
Source:AF Photo
"The POLE"
Submitted by: Mark Wilson from his collection
Air Force Photo
"Just need that waiver and we're ready to go!"
Submitted by: Mark Wilson from his collection
Air Force Photo