Military Aircraft Down In Residential Area

ANN is monitoring reports of a crash involving an Indonesian C-130. Current reports say that 69 people died when the four engine turboprop, reportedly carrying 112 people (including crew), went down during a training mission.

An Indonesian Air Force spokesman, Bambang Sulistyo, confirmed that the Hercules impacted near an Air Force base in East Java province. Media reports add that at least four dwellings on the ground were hit by the aircraft or associated debris -- but no confirmation has been made concerning injuries or fatalities to those on the ground.

Witness reports seem to suggest that there was a visible problem before impact, with several persons claiming that the aircraft came apart in the air. Local villager, Agus Yulianto, told local media that, "One of the wings fell off... Then the plane nose-dived into the houses."

The Indonesian Air Force has compiled a pretty difficult accident record, most recently losing a Fokker 27 just last month, with the loss of 24 lives.

FMI: www.tni-au.mil.id/