Indian Air Force’s C-130J Super Hercules transport plane crashed on Friday. All five persons on board are feared dead.
New Delhi, March 28/Nationalturk – In a major loss to Indian Air Force (IAF), C-130J Super Hercules transport plane, which was inducted two years back in the air force, crashed on Friday.
“One C-130J Aircraft of the IAF crashed 72 miles west of Gwalior airbase today. The aircraft was airborne from Agra at 1000 hour for a routine flying training mission,” an Indian air force spokesman said.
He said a Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident.
It would be probed whether the place crashed due to technical or human error.
‘All five personnel on board feared dead’
Sources said all five air force personnel on board were killed.
They said two Wing Commanders, two Squadron Leaders and another crew member were killed in the crash. However, there is no official confirmation yet.
Immediately after the crash, local IAF units rushed officers and men in choppers to the accident area.
The incident is shocking since the plane, known as the safest aircraft, has capabilities of landing and taking off even in improvised or short airfields, and without lights.
India has inducted 6 Super Hercules aircraft
India had inducted six C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, which were bought from the US at the cost of around Rs 6,000 crore (USD 1.1 billion). The aircrafts were inducted into Indian air force two years back.
According to officials, the aircraft has a maximum load of 6 pallets or 74 litters or 16 CDS bundles or 92 combat troops or 64 paratroopers, or a combination of any of these up to the cargo compartment capacity or maximum allowable weight.
India and US had inked a $1.2 billion US Foreign Military Sale order for six C-130J Super Hercules in late 2008. The contract included six aircraft, training of aircrew and maintenance technicians, spares, ground support and test equipment, servicing carts, forklifts, loading vehicles, cargo pallets and a team of technical specialists to be based in India during a three-year initial support period.
‘Aircraft can perform precision low-level flying’
Equipped with an Infrared Detection Set (IDS), the aircraft can perform precision low-level flying, airdrops and landing in blackout conditions. Self-protection systems and other features are included to ensure aircraft survivability in hostile air defence environments. The aircraft also is equipped with air-to-air receiver refueling capability for extended range operations.
The C-130J is powered by four Rolls Royce AE2100 engines and Dowty six bladed props which provide the aircraft with tremendous power.
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Asia News/ NationalTurk India News
