USAF Hercules C-130 Crash!!!

I lived neat an airbase when I was young. My family and I went to many airshows.Over the years I saw maybe 4-5 airplanes crash and burn with no survivors. Even thought you think your over it shorty after. I've realized now, years later as an adult, that I am traumatized by the scenes. It is very sad when these amazingly skilled pilots and crew lose their life. Even more so when we lose them.

I was the wife of the loadmaster who was supposed to be in this plane but got back late from his TDY. Him and I went to airman Dunsee's house, the loadmaster who replaced him, to tell Laura, his young wife that Dunsee had died. That left a huge impression om me. It took a long time before I could like the looks of the C-130 again: the way it looks like a dolphin, and the soothing sound it makes when it flies over. Captain Bardo was showing off that day: I still think about this day.

I was the Flight Engineer who flew with Capt Gary Bardo the day prior on the practice flight to this joint capability exercise. After a similar experience with an overly-aggressive approach into the drop zone, both the co-pilot and I refused to fly with him. In the video footage, you'll see another C-130 flying directly behind in the #2 slot. I was Flight Engineer in this second plane who observed the crash and aftermath first hand. Tony Holmes took my place and miraculously survived. Very sad..

My dad was the squadron commander of the 40th TAS at the time of this accident. The crash really pulled Pope AFB together.

We're working on a feature film script now that covers this dark time in the 317th history. The whole base really pulled together and the next year the 40th won the Squadron of the year.

If anyone's interested, who was actually there, feel free to contact me to talk more about it. Your perspective would really help.

Whoa? Did you seee that? There was an elbow and everything. Woah.

I was there as well that day. We were down on the end of the bleachers nearest the fireball. I remember saying out loud, "Pull up, pull up, trees, trees." At that time, I was not fully aware the plane had already crashed into the ground on the other end of the strip and was out of control when it past me and my family. The heat was intense! Two personnel were heroically pull from the site by a soldier. Those two survived but were severely burned. The co-pilot eventually returned to flight duty.

I was at this when I was 5 years old and still remember feeling the heat from the crash. I wish the video kept rolling and showed the chaos that ensued in the crowd afterwards. At least that's how I remember it.

Uhm, cool. Thats stellar i guess, i'll send you the video if you'd like.

-Shane

god i remember this all too well i was there when it happened live the debree from the C-130 hit me where i was sittin

Yeah, just a bit Too early, thanks for the comment man. :) much appreciated.

Looks like pulled out parachute too early