Airplane Was Headed To Arizona For Decommissioning

The National Guard CW-130 that went down near Savannah, GA Wednesday was headed to Arizona for decommissioning, according to Air Force and National Guard officials.

CNN reports that the number of Puerto Rico National Guard members fatally injured in the accident has been increased to nine, "but until their families and relatives are notified, we cannot give their names," said Brigadier General Isabelo Rivera, the assistant general of Puerto Rico.

The aircraft had been in Savannah for several days, according to air force officials. It was in Savannah for maintenance prior to her final ferry flight to the Aerospace Regeneration and Maintenance Group ... also known as "The Boneyard", in Arizona. The airplane was reportedly more than 50 years old.

No one on the ground was injured when the plane went down near State Highway 21 in Pooler, GA. A video captured by an business surveillance cameras show the airplane banking sharply left before diving nearly vertically into the ground.

The airplane that went down had been used in relief efforts following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico last fall. It was also used to evacuate U.S. citizens from the British Virgin Islands during hurricane Irma, according to CNN.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report