5 fatalities

2014-03-28: Lockheed C-130 Hercules (KC-3803) — Indian Air Force - Bharatiya Vayu Sena — Karauli, India

Karauli, IndiaFlight

On March 28, 2014, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules (registration KC-3803) operated by Indian Air Force - Bharatiya Vayu Sena was involved in an aviation accident near Karauli, India in flight. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft encountered wake turbulence from a preceding plane during a low-altitude training exercise, leading to a loss of control. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781193664Data APIEditorial standards

A military C-130J Super Hercules crashed in a riverbed near Karauli during a low-altitude training mission, resulting in five fatalities.

What happened

On a scheduled training mission, a C-130J Super Hercules departed from Agra-Kheria Airport at 10:00 local time. The aircraft was operating as part of a joint exercise alongside a second C-130, with the primary objective being the simulation of low-altitude cargo drops. The flight was manned by a crew of five.

While flying at an altitude of approximately 300 feet, the aircraft encountered intense wake turbulence generated by the preceding plane in the formation. In an effort to recover altitude and stabilize the aircraft, the crew attempted to climb; however, the aircraft subsequently lost control. The plane impacted the rocky terrain of a riverbed located near Karauli. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe and five fatalities, with no survivors reported.

Findings

Preliminary details suggest that the primary factor in the accident was the encounter with wake turbulence from the lead aircraft during the low-altitude maneuver.

Probable cause

The aircraft encountered wake turbulence from a preceding plane during a low-altitude training exercise, leading to a loss of control.