C-130 Crash Updated

C-130 Tanker #7 equipped with MAFFS is the tanker that went down.

Update 3 July 2012 - The number of fatalities from this crash is now four.  Lt. Col. Paul Mikael, Maj. Joseph McCormick, Maj. Ryan David, and SMSgt Robert Cannon were killed in the crash.  The other C-130 tankers are back in operation.  It is too soon to determine actual cause of crash, the USAF will be conducting two different investigations of this mishap.

Possible cause is provided by a BLM platform that was operating as the lead aircraft for the C-130.

"A BLM ASM [Air Supervision Module] platform was also engaged as a lead [plane] with the C130 when the accident occurred. The ASM/Lead experienced a severe downdraft while approaching the intended retardant drop zone with the C130 in trail. This is being investigated by the USFS as a separate Incident With Potential."

A C-130 Hercules equipped with the MAFFS system has crashed in South Dakota in a rugged area while battling forest fires.  Three crew members have been taken to the hospital.  One fatality has been confirmed, Air Force officials notified the family of Lt. Col Paul Mikael early Monday morning.  Mikael belonged to the North Carolina Air National Guard and is survived by his wife and two children.  The fate of two other crew members is unknown.

The other seven C-130 tankers at Peterson AFB are temporarily grounded.

Please keep all the families in your thoughts and prayers.

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