What happened
On the morning of the incident, an C-130 Hercules departed from Comodoro Rivadavia Airport at 08:53 local time. The aircraft was conducting a reconnaissance flight directed toward the Falkland Islands, arriving in the vicinity at 10:15 local time.
During its transit, the aircraft was identified on radar by the British frigate HMS Minerva. In response to the detection, two patrolling Sea Harrier jets were dispatched to intercept the inbound plane. During the encounter, a Sea Harrier with registration XZ451 discharged two AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles at the transport aircraft.
The initial missile failed to strike the target, but the subsequent missile successfully impacted the left wing of the C-130 Hercules. Following the missile strike, the intercepting pilot utilized a 30 mm cannon against the aircraft. The sustained damage caused the plane to lose control, resulting in a crash into the ocean near Pebble Island. There were no survivors, as all seven crew members perished in the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft was intercepted by military assets following radar detection by a naval vessel.
- A direct hit from an AIM-9L Sidewinder missile caused structural damage to the left wing.