What happened
On 8 June 2020, a C-130H, registration 94-6706, was engaged in a routine airlift mission from Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, to Al Taji (Camp Taji), Iraq. The aircraft, operated by the 165th Airlift Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard with a crew from the 153d Airlift Wing, was performing the first leg of its mission. During the approach to Camp Taji, the crew initiated a turn earlier than intended and failed to descend to the planned altitudes. Additionally, the aircraft's speed exceeded the recommended limits for its current configuration.
Upon landing, the aircraft maintained an excessive airspeed and a nose-down attitude, remaining above the intended glideslope. After touchdown, the aircraft experienced a porpoising motion along the runway. Although the use of reverse thrust eventually allowed the aircraft to settle and the brakes to be applied, there was insufficient runway remaining to halt the movement. The aircraft overran the runway end and struck a 12-foot-high concrete barrier approximately 600 feet beyond the pavement. All 26 occupants survived the accident, though two individuals sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision.
Findings
Investigations into the incident identified several critical errors during the descent and landing phases. The crew performed a turn prior to the designated waypoint and failed to adhere to the planned descent profile. Most significantly, the crew maintained excessive airspeed and an improper pitch attitude during the approach, which prevented the aircraft from stopping within the available runway length.