What happened
During an arrival at Pope Air Force Base, a C-130 Hercules experienced a loss of directional control immediately after making contact with the runway. The aircraft drifted from the paved surface and exited the runway area.
The force of the excursion caused significant structural damage to the airframe, specifically resulting in the separation of one wing from the fuselage. Despite the severity of the impact, all five crew members on board were able to exit the wreckage without sustaining any injuries.
Findings
- The aircraft departed the runway during the landing phase.
- The incident led to the loss of a wing due to the intensity of the excursion.