Boeing Tanker Crashes On Takeoff At California Air Base

All 3 Crewmembers Survive

CBS Newspath

Posted: 6:28 pm PDT May 18, 2011Updated: 6:57 pm PDT May 18, 2011

VENTURA, California -- A Boeing 707 tanker crashed and burst into flames as it took off Wednesday from Point Mugu Naval Air Station in Southern California, injuring the three people on board, an airbase spokeswoman said.

Broadcast reports showed black smoke and flames pouring from the aircraft after it went down at 5:25 p.m. and slid off a runway. The three on board escaped with minor injuries, air station spokeswoman Terry Reid told KCAL-TV.

She said the tanker is used for fleet operations support and transporting fuel.

It's not known where the tanker was headed at the time of the crash.

Point Mugu Naval Air Station is in Ventura County and about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

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