Indonesian Air Force Hercules C-130B plane crash
Medan, Indonesia
Updated on
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport plane, operated by the Indonesian Air Force, took off from Medan, Indonesia, for a military flight to Tanjung, Indonesia. On board were a crew of 12 and 101 passengers. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff in a populated area. All the 113 occupants were killed in the crash. 22 people on ground have been caught up in the crash and were killed.
The plane took off from Medan-Soewondo Air Force Base, on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It was carrying Military personnel and their family members, students and other civilians (sometimes, Indonesian civilians also hitch rides on military flights to get to islands which might otherwise be inaccessible). The plane was also carrying logistical supplies to bases.
Shortly after takeoff, the crew radioed that they were returning to base. About two minutes later the aircraft impacted buildings, crashed, and burst into flames. The crash site is 5 kilometers (3 NM) from the air base.
Images from the scene showed crowds gathering around the wreckage of the plane amid damaged buildings and a burned-out car. Thick smoke rose from the smouldering debris as firefighters battled to put out the flames.
The aircraft, built in the United States in the 1960s, had been inspected and cleared to fly before it took off from Medan.