KC-130 Went Down Monday Afternoon In Mississippi

A Marine Corps KC-130 transport aircraft went in LeFlore County, MS on July 10 at approximately 4 p.m. CDT, claiming the lives of 16 service members.  The flight originated from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, NC.  FAA officials contacted the Marine Corps when the aircraft disappeared from air traffic control radar over Mississippi. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time; the incident is under investigation.

The identities of the service members whose lives were lost in this tragic accident are being withheld to allow time for their loved ones to be notified. While the details of the incident are being investigated, our focus remains on providing the necessary resources and support to the family and friends of these service members as they go through this extremely difficult time, the Marine Corps said in a news release. No other information was made available by the Corps.

The county is a largely rural area in the western part of the state.

Television station WNCN reports that the FBI has joined other agencies that are investigating the accident. Witnesses said it "spiraled down" leaving debris scattered over about 5 miles. Greenwood Airport official Alan Hammons told the station that the airplane experienced a "structural failure" at about 20,000 feet. A witness whose family owns a catfish farm near the site of the accident said he heard a "boom" and then saw the airplane spinning toward the ground with one engine trailing smoke.  

(Source: Marine Corps news release and as cited. Image from file)

FMI: www.marines.mil