Report blames pilot error

Tom Parsons

Friday, March 31, 2000 | 3:54 a.m.

JACKSONVILLE, Ark. - The Air Force blamed pilot error for a C-130 transport plane crash in Kuwait that killed three airmen, including one based in Nevada, and injured seven.

The plane, which crashed Dec. 10, belonged to the 61st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base here.

An accident investigation board, headed by Air Force Col. Frank Laras, blamed crew complacency and failure to follow governing directives. The report said the crew became complacent during the approach to the runway at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base and failed to monitor instruments - described as critical during night flying with reduced visibility.

The report said the pilot and co-pilot became disoriented and failed to recognize their relationship to the runway. "Basically, yes, he flew the plane into the ground," Laras said at a briefing.

He said the plane crashed 2,500 feet short of the runway.

Laras said the crew violated directives when it planned and flew an unauthorized instrument approach to the air base. His report also said the crew failed to use the existing navigational aid in setting up its approach to the runway and violated directives when it failed to obtain an updated weather report from the tower prior to conducting a visual approach. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were below the minimum authorized for a visual approach, the report said.

Laras said the errors were the result of a lack of leadership and discipline by the pilot. He also cited failures on the part of the copilot, the navigator and the flight engineer.

The plane was carrying 86 military personnel and a crew of eight.

The three killed were Capt. Michael D. Geragosian, who was based in Nevada, Airman 1st Class Benjamin Hall and Airman 1st Class Warren T. Willis.

Laras said they were killed when the landing gear struts penetrated the fuselage of the plane.