50-year-old US military plane crashes on final flight
- By Web Desk -
- May 03, 2018
SAVANNAH: All nine people aboard an ageing cargo Military plane making its final flight on Wednesday, were killed when the aircraft nosedived into a Georgia highway.
The Puerto Rico Air National Guard WC-130 was carrying nine crew members when it crashed, the Guard said in a statement.
It was flying from the coastal city of Savannah, Georgia to Tucson, Arizona, where it was to be decommissioned.
The plane involved in Wednesday’s crash was at least 50 years old, according to an official familiar with the aircraft.
“Nine crew members died in the accident, but until their families and relatives are notified, we cannot give their names,” Brig. Gen. Isabelo Rivera said.
“Prayers, thoughts and condolences to the families and loved ones of our aviators.”
One witness said the plane made a “loud, strange noise” just before the crash. Another said the ground shook as if a bomb went off when it hit.
Video from a business near the crash shows the horrifying final moments of the hulking plane, a version normally outfitted to do weather reconnaissance.
Prayers go out to the families of all on board the plane that crashed in Garden City today. Captured from my business’ surveillance cameras #CNNiReport pic.twitter.com/08Ms4gADMv
— Scott Cohen (@scottoftroy) May 2, 2018
The jet, with four turboprop engines on its overhead wing, banks left as it comes down. The plane then heads straight down behind trees. Seconds later a fireball and thick black smoke appear.