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Hercules crash's death toll reaches 68
The Associated Press , Jakarta | Wed, 05/20/2009 9:56 AM | National
Burning plane: Burning plane: Fire razes through an Indonesian Air Force C-130 cargo plane after it crashed in Magetan, East Java, Indonesia, Wednesday. The plane carrying more than 100 people crashed and burst into flames Wednesday, killing at least 68 people, officials said. AP Photo/detikSurabaya.com
At least 68 people after a An Air Force Hercules, which crashed and burned in Magetan, East Java, on Wednesday morning, an official said.
Air Force official Suyono says he expects the death toll to rise following Wednesday morning's crash.
The C-130 Hercules Alpha 1325, carrying 14 crews and 98 passengers, was on its way from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta for Biak in Papua when it crashed only four kilometer from Iswahyudi Airport.
Air Force spokesman Bambang Sulistyo said earlier that the plane was on a routine training mission when it crashed near the air base in East Java province, smashing into houses and then skidding into a rice field and bursting into flames. (dre)
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J. T. Gentry (not verified) — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 5:40pm
These are very strong planes. I used to work on them in the U.S. Air Force, and later obtained an A&P license. There was a similar crash of a C-130 a few years ago, when the wings fell off a fire-fighting C-130. There was a fuel tank explosion associated with that one, but probably a major structural failure causing the explosion. The wing cavities are filled with fuel, even at the wing root area, where the wing connects to the fuselage. These fuel tanks are called the AUX (auxilary) tanks. These planes are strong, but are also pushed to the limits because of their reputation for strength. Some pilots fly them extra hard, because they believe the wings can take anything. Inspections of internal wing structures are only periodic, and with "hot dogging" pilots, the next flight might not be safe...
David K. — Wed, 05/20/2009 - 12:17pm
Doesn't Indonesia have a president that was or is a 4 star general. Oh wait according to his commercial he was to busy getting his PHD to pay attention to the military, so didn't end up doing anything during his military career. My personal opinion is that a military president or vs who actually has taken care of his men (and women), would know how to protect them against such problems. Wings falling off? Tires blowing up....the list goes on. Yet the president forgets whom have brought him up in prominence and given him opportunities....The military