What happened
On 1 July 2012, a C-130H3 aircraft, identified by registration 93-1458, crashed while engaged in wildland firefighting missions. The aircraft was operated by the 145th Airlift Wing of the North Carolina Air National Guard and was performing duties near Edgemont, South Dakota, on land under the management of the United States Forest Service.
The flight crew included a pilot, an instructor pilot, a navigator, a flight engineer, and two loadmasters. During the mission, the aircraft was utilizing the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS). The accident resulted in 4 fatalities and 2 injuries. The deceased included the aircraft commander, the instructor pilot, the navigator, and the flight engineer. The two loadmasters survived the impact but sustained serious injuries.
The crash led to the total destruction of the aircraft and the associated USFS-owned MAFFS equipment. Total financial losses, including environmental remediation and aircraft removal, were estimated at over $43 million. No other civilian or government property was damaged, and no other individuals were harmed during the event.
Findings
No specific technical cause for the crash was provided in the source material.