EC-47 43-48009 Crashes November 10, 1971

EC-47 43-48009 Crashes November 10, 1971

The following based on USAF Accident/Incident Report dated November 10, 1971.

Aircraft Crewmembers

Capt. Timothy J. Buer - Pilot
Capt. David J. Cruz _ Co-Pilot
Lt. Col. Richard J. Smigelski - Navigator
Sgt Thomas F. Draken - Flight Mechanic
Sgt Ronald L.Schebler - Flight Mechanic
SSgt John Allen - Radio Operator
Sgt Walter M. Kawalski - Radio Operator
Sgt Donald G.Bloomfield - Radio Operator
Sgt Ronald M. Arevalos - Radio Operator
Sgt Andres Gonzlaes - Flight Mechanic

History of Flight

Aircraft 43-48009, and EC-47Q call sign TACO 20, from the 362nd Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron was scheduled for a classified tactical mission departing from Nahkam Phanom West RTAFB, Thailand and recovering at DaNang AB, RVN. The scheduled departure time was 0605 local. The aircraft was re-routed to fly direct to DaNang because doppler problems prevented accomplishment of the original mission.

The Aircraft Commander Capt. Timothy J. Buer and his crew arrived at the TUOC (Tactical Unit Operations Center) at 0430 local for pre-mission weather and intelligence briefings. Departure and arrival weather wer forcast to be VMC. The crew of 10 then picked up their life support equipment and proceeded to the aircraft arriving there at 0510 local.

The crew chief informed the crew that the doppler was written up in the AFTO form 781A as inoperative. 362nd TEWS Operations as DaNang was notified at approcimately 0525 that TACO 20 was "mission unable" because of doppler problems. 362nd Operations told Capt. Buer to try to have his airplane repaired and operations would contact the Wing Command Post for guidance. At approximately 0730 local, Capt. Buer was informed via 362nd Det.1 Operations that his assigned mission was cancelled and to fly the aircraft direct to DaNang. Capt. Buer then went to Base Operations and filled an ???? flight plan. He arrived back at the airplane at approximately 0830 local to start engines. All checklist were completed and taxi clearance was called for at 0845.

TACO 20 taxied to the run up area for takeoff on runway 15. TACO 20 was cleared for takeoff at 0914 local and told to contact Departure Control. The co-pilot then contacted Departure Controll at the Line-Up checklist was accomplished while the pilot taxied the aircraft onto the runway to a point approximately 400 feet from the approach end.

Capt. Buer held the brakes and advanced the power to 30". All engine instruments indicated normal. Brakes were released and power was advanced to 48" with the co-pilot making final power adjustments. The aircraft rolled approximately 700 feet and began to veer to the left at a point about 1200 feet down the runway. As the aircraft approached the left edge of the runway the co-pilot called out abort and the pilot retarded the throttles. The aircraft departed the left side of the runway and paralleled it for approximately 300 feet. The pilot re-applied power on the left engine in an attempt to return the aircraft to the runway. The aircraft then made a sharp veer to the right and crossed over the runway and ran off the right side. The pilot then advanced power on the right engine in an attempt to parallel the runway heading. As the aircraft was careening back to the left, the right main gear entered a ditch 120' from the runway. The aircraft entered the ditch and came to rest 2355' from the approach end of the runway. No fire occured and the crew exited the aircraft.