Accident Overview
On July 1, 2012, at approximately 1738 local time, a C-130H3 aircraft, tail number 93-1458, assigned to the 145th Airlift Wing, North Carolina Air National Guard, crashed on public land managed by the United States Forest Service (USFS). The mishap occurred while the aircraft was conducting wildland firefighting operations near Edgemont, South Dakota.
Crew and Aircraft
The mishap crew consisted of six members: Mishap Pilot 1 (MP1), Mishap Pilot 2 (MP2), Mishap Navigator (MN), Mishap Flight Engineer (ME), Mishap Loadmaster 1 (ML1), and Mishap Loadmaster 2 (ML2). All were assigned or attached to the 156th Airlift Squadron based at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (KCLT). For the mishap sortie, MP1 served as aircraft commander and pilot flying in the left seat; MP2 was instructor pilot in the right seat; MN sat at the navigator station behind MP2; ME was in the flight engineer seat between MP1 and MP2; ML1 and ML2 were seated on the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) unit near the right paratroop door.
Fatalities and Injuries
MP1, MP2, MN, and ME died in the mishap. ML1 and ML2 survived but suffered significant injuries. The mishap aircraft and a USFS-owned MAFFS unit were destroyed. The monetary loss was valued at $43,453,295, including an estimated $150,000 for post-accident removal and site environmental cleanup. No other fatalities, injuries, or damage to government or civilian property occurred.
Investigation
The accident investigation report was released by the Air Force Air Mobility Command. The investigation developed its opinion by inspecting the mishap site and wreckage, analyzing historical records, Air Force directives, USFS interagency guidance, reconstructing the mishap sortie in a C-130H3 simulator, engineering analysis, witness testimony, flight data, weather radar data, computer animated reconstruction, and consultations with subject matter experts and technical experts. The failure of the Digital Flight Data Recorder severely complicated the recreation of the mishap and impacted the ability to determine certain facts.
Probable Cause
By clear and convincing evidence, the cause of the mishap was MP1, MP2, MN, and ME's inadequate assessment of operational conditions, resulting in the aircraft impacting the ground after flying into a microburst. Additionally, by a preponderance of evidence, the failure of the White Draw Fire Lead Plane aircrew and Air Attack aircrew to communicate critical operational information, and conflicting operational guidance concerning thunderstorm avoidance, substantially contributed to the mishap.