Royal Norwegian Air Force Hercules C-130J plane crash
Tarfala, Sweden
Updated on
The Lockheed C-130J-30 Hercules belonging to the Royal Norwegian Air Force took off from Harstad, Norway, for a military flight to Kiruna, Sweden. 5 crewmembers were onboard. The plane crashed, near Tarfala in Sweden. All the 5 people onboard were killed.
The C-130 was taking part in a Norwegian-led military exercise with 16,000 soldiers from 14 countries. The plane was supposed to be flown manually during a part of the flight. However, the C130 flew into the western wall of the Kebnekaise Mountain, 80 km west of Kiruna, at full force just below the summit. The impact was so violent that the plane has been completely destroyed: many debris passed over the mountain and landed on the glacial part on the opposite side. Also, the explosion triggered an avalanche.
Bad weather was reported in the area of the accident. Cloud cover, poor visibility and strong winds were reported.
The wreckage has been found two days after the accident.
