The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas DC-8-63CF, was chartered to carry U.S. Army personnel, all members of the 101st Airborne Division, back to their base in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
O avión, un McDonnell Douglas DC-8-63CF, fora fretado para transportar persoal do exército estadounidense, todos membos da 101ª División Aerotransportada, de volta á súa base en Fort Campbell, Kentucky.