Indian Air Force C-130 Crashes, 5 Dead

[mota bhai 2,675]

By Ankit Panda

March 28, 2014

On Friday morning, one of the the Indian Air Forces brand new C-130 J Super Hercules aircraft crashed near Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, shortly after taking off from Agra. According to NDTV, all five air force personnel aboard the aircraft were killed. The C-130 J is one of Indias largest transport aircraft and was on a routine training mission. The C-130 J that crashed was part of a batch of six that were purchased from the United States for $1.1 billion four years ago. The aircraft was reportedly also used in the search effort for missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.

The crash has prompted shocked reactions considering the C-130 Js record of reliability and reputation. Ajai Shukla, a columnist for Indias Business Standard and expert on Indian defense matters tweeted This is a highly reliable, four-engine aircraft that is considered un-crashable. How did this happen? The C-130 J has a particularly rigid airframe and is capable of toting up to 20 tons of material.

The C-130 J is of particular utility to the IAF given the ease with which the aircraft can take off and land on improvised and underdeveloped airfields, even under poor lighting conditions. According to Defense Industry Daily, India operates its C-130 Js in conjunction with Ilyushion IL-76s and Antonov AN-32s.

The C-130 J is a critical asset for the Indian Air Force. In its short time with the IAF so far, it has proved useful for a variety of purposes most recently search and rescue in the MH370 case. During the April 2013 Daulat Beg Oldie incident when Chinese troops entered Indian territory, India flew its C-130 J aircraft to the area to send a signal to Chinese troops. The C-130 J is intended for troop and supply delivery and is capable of carrying massive cargo.

The incident may drag the IAF into a similar sort of controversy that gripped the Indian Navy after a series of accidents occurred over the course of a year, eventually prompting the Chief of Staff of the Indian Navy Admiral D.K. Joshi to retire, taking moral responsibility for the incidents. The IAF will likely begin an investigation of the circumstances of the crash. Furthermore, Defense Minister A.K. Antony has already found himself mired in controversy and the C-130 J crash will likely prompt critics to take aim at his management.

http://thediplomat.com/2014/03/indian-air-force-c-130-crashes/

[mota bhai 2,675]

Pilot error probable cause of Hercules crash

... initial investigation has pointed out an 'error of judgement' on the part of the pilot in maintaining the flying height.

...

"The aircraft was on low level tactical flying mission, practising penetration of enemy's air defence. And the aircraft was supposed to fly at minimum 500 feet above the obstruction level. During manoeuvring, the aircraft fell off. But there was no distress call by the pilot before crash," said an officer.

IAF is maintaining that all three pilots on board were quite senior and experienced. "The lead pilot of the aircraft has more than 5,000 hours of flying experience and at least 1,000 hours of flying C-130 J aircraft. It is hard to believe that a human error caused the crash," said an IAF officer.

Meanwhile, the IAF has ruled out possibility of presence of any fake Chinese parts on the ill-fated aircraft. Two years ago, an investigation by the US Senate had found presence of fake Chinese parts in various US military aircraft.

"Chinese parts have no bearing on flight safety. We have sent suspected parts to the US for verification. No fake Chinese parts were found in any of the Indian aircraft," said the officer.