Lockheed C-130 Hercules

This aircraft was delivered on 17 October to TAB1 at Wagner Field, a disused auxiliary airfield at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Between 19 October and 28 October, numerous flights were made testing various aspects, including the double-slotted flaps system, which enabled the C-130 to fly at 85 knots on final approach at a very steep eight-degree glide slope. All aspects worked flawlessly, and a full profile test was scheduled for 29 October. The test's takeoff phase was executed flawlessly, setting a number of short takeoff records. The Lockheed test crew then assessed that the computer used to command the firing of the rockets during the landing sequence needed further calibration, and elected to manually input commands. The reverse-mounted (forward-facing) eight ASROC rockets for decelerating the aircraft's forward speed were situated in pairs on the fuselage's upper curvature behind the cockpit, and at the midpoint of each side of the fuselage beneath the uppers. Testing had determined that the upper pairs, fired sequentially, could be ignited while still airborne (specifically, at 20 feet), but that the lower pairs could only be fired after the aircraft was on the ground, with the descent-braking rockets also firing during the sequence. The flight engineer, blinded by the firing of the upper deceleration rockets, thought the aircraft was on the runway and fired the lower set early. The descent-braking rockets did not fire at all. Later unofficial disclaimers allegedly made by some of the Lockheed test crew's members asserted that the lower rockets fired themselves through an undetermined computer or electrical malfunction, which at the same time failed to fire the descent-braking rockets. As a result, the aircraft's forward flight was immediately reduced to nearly zero, dropping it hard to the runway and breaking the starboard wing between the third and fourth engines. During rollout, the trailing wing ignited a fire, but a medical evacuation helicopter dispersed the flame and crash response teams extinguished the fire within eight seconds of the aircraft stopping, enabling the crew to exit the aircraft safely. 74-1683 was dismantled and buried on-site for security reasons, but most of its unique systems were salvaged.

The crew was dispatched out from Trenton on a SAR operation for a missing helicopter. While flying at low height, the four engine airplane crashed in a wooded area located about 13 km west of Chapais. Eight crew members were killed while two others were seriously injured.
Crew:
Cpt Dave Salmons, pilot, †
Cpt Ron Kavanagh, †
M/Cpl Allan Woodham, †
Sgt J. R. O'Neill, †
Cpl R. W. Fisher, †
Cpl R. J. Cocks, †
Cpl R. J. Taylor, †
Pvt W. D. Minnis, †
Cpt Dahl Manthorpe,
Mst W/O Bing Crosby.

The crew was engaged in a low level training flight when the airplane crashed in a field near McMinnville. All four crew members were killed.

Following a night takeoff at Madinah-Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz Airport, while climbing, one of the engine caught fire and exploded. The crew was unable to attempt an emergency landing and the airplane crashed in flames in a desert area located near the airport. All 89 occupants were killed.

After takeoff from Kindu, while in initial climb, the airplane suffered an engine failure. It lost height and crashed near the airport. All 36 occupants were killed.

The airplane departed London on a flight to Kuwait City with an intermediate stop in Athens. While cruising vertical to Montélimar, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and turbulences. Control was lost and the airplane entered a dive before crashing on a hill located near Saint-Vincent-de-Barrès, about 12 km northwest of Montélimar. Debris were found on a wide area and all eight occupants were killed.

The crew was completing a flight from Tenerife to Las Palmas where 70 soldiers should embark. The descent to Gando Airport was initiated from the west in marginal weather conditions. In limited visibility due to clouds, the four engine airplane struck the slope of Mt Hoya del Gamonal located about 17 km northwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 10 occupants were killed. For unknown reasons, the crew initiated the approach from the west over the island instead of flying along the northern coast of the island.

After landing at Posht-e Bādām AFB, the four engine airplane collided with a USMC Douglas RH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter registered 158761. The collision occurred in unknown circumstances and both aircraft were taking part to an evacuation of US citizens. All eight occupants on both aircraft were killed.

Following a logistic mission, the crew was returning to Adana-Incirlik Airbase. While descending to an altitude of 5,000 feet, the crew was cleared to continue to 3,000 feet when an explosion occurred in the left wing. Out of control, the airplane crashed on a hill located 25 km from the airbase and burst into flames. All 18 occupants were killed. It is believed that an explosion occurred in a fuel tank located in the left wing.

Following a night takeoff from Panama City-Tocumen Airport, while climbing, the four engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.