The Indonesian air force Lockheed Martin C-130H that crashed in the country’s Papua region was conducting a joint navigation training and logistics mission, and marks Jakarta’s fifth loss of the type since 2000.
According to the air force’s Twitter account, among those killed when the aircraft went down in mountainous terrain while flying from Timika to Wamena were new pilots. Media reports indicate that there were 13 aboard the aircraft, as well as cargo comprising foodstuffs and concrete.
Of the 13 killed, 12 were air force personnel. One, apparently, was a “civilian radar technician.”
The aircraft was visible from Wamena tower immediately before crashing a 06:08 local time. Rescuers located it two hours later. Media reports indicate that weather was poor at the time of the crash.
The aircraft bore serial number A-1334. Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that it was delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force in 1977, and served with it until it was parked in 2012.
It returned to operation on 8 February 2016 after refurbishment by Airbus Defence & Space in Australia.
A-1334 is the first aircraft from a five aircraft deal from 2013, under which Indonesia purchased former RAAF C-130Hs. Powered by four Rolls-Royce T56 engines, its manufacturer's serial number was 4785. In RAAF service it bore serial number A97-005.
This five aircraft sale was subsequent to a previous deal under which four former RAAF C-130H aircraft were gifted to Indonesia.
Following the crash, Indonesia now has 25 C-130s, of which 22 are listed as in service and three in storage. The average age of the country’s C-130s is 42 years.
This is Indonesia’s fifth C-130 loss since 2000. In July 2015, an Indonesian C-130B crashed in a Medan suburb while carrying well over 100 people, many of whom were relatives of air force personnel.
In 2009, a C-130B landed short and damaged its undercarriage. All seven passengers and eight crew were uninjured, but the aircraft was written off.
Also in 2009, in one of Indonesia's biggest air disasters, an L-100-30 crashed on approach to Iswahyudi Airport after a flight from Jakarta Halim Perdanakusuma airport, which resulted in 97 deaths and 15 injuries
In 2001 an air force Lockheed L-100-30 was lost after catching fire upon landing. All 83 passengers and 12 crew escaped.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
