C130 down NE Cooma
Channel 7 News is reporting that witnesses saw the C130 crash in a ball of fire. 3 crew on board. It looks like the chances of survivors would be very slim.
https://7news.com.au/news/bushfires/...ports-c-661253
https://7news.com.au/news/bushfires/...ports-c-661253
The report actually stated: "Witnesses in the area say they saw a “ball of fire” as the aircraft reportedly hit the ground"
Your 'crash in a ball of fire" makes it sound like it went down in flames. I trust you were not being needlessly sensational.
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The wreckage of the missing RFS air tanker has reportedly be found by search crews.
Seven News reporter Cameron Price tweeted that that only the tail section of the aircraft is believed to be still intact, with the rest breaking upon impact.
(Fire) Crews reporting difficult terrain and "terrible visibility".
Seven News reporter Cameron Price tweeted that that only the tail section of the aircraft is believed to be still intact, with the rest breaking upon impact.
(Fire) Crews reporting difficult terrain and "terrible visibility".

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Existing thread in the Aussie NZ etc forum entitled C130 down NE Cooma
(sorry can't post link as only newly registered)
(sorry can't post link as only newly registered)
We don't know yet whether they were on a bombing run, though the flight profile and location aligns with the current firegrounds

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Coulson Aviation press release text - can't post URLs yet
While working in the Snowy Monaro Area in southern NSW, Australia contact was lots with one of our large airtankers, a Lockheed C-130 registration N134CG.
The aircraft had departed Richmond, NSW with a load of retardant and was on a firebombing mission. The accident is reported to be extensive and we are deeply saddened to confirm there were 3 fatalities.
The accident response team has been activated as well as local emergency services, Coulson Aviation will be sending a team to the site to assist in emergency operations. Our thoughts and prayers are with the familes of the three crew members onboard.
Sincerely,
The Coulson Family
While working in the Snowy Monaro Area in southern NSW, Australia contact was lots with one of our large airtankers, a Lockheed C-130 registration N134CG.
The aircraft had departed Richmond, NSW with a load of retardant and was on a firebombing mission. The accident is reported to be extensive and we are deeply saddened to confirm there were 3 fatalities.
The accident response team has been activated as well as local emergency services, Coulson Aviation will be sending a team to the site to assist in emergency operations. Our thoughts and prayers are with the familes of the three crew members onboard.
Sincerely,
The Coulson Family
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Already seen mentioned that all the Coulson airframes we have in NSW have been grounded.
Not sure of the validity of it though as it came from someone not showing any official sources.
Not sure of the validity of it though as it came from someone not showing any official sources.
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https://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2020-...54?pfmredir=sm
Last edited by Cleared Visual; 23rd Jan 2020 at 05:39.

https://i.redd.it/30xu65szwgc41.jpg
Imagine the C130 will be grounded for a while but other will be reletively short grounding
“Coulsons have grounded their large air tankers this afternoon and, indeed, as a mark of respect and as welfare for the rest of their crews operating large air tankers here in New South Wales and interstate in Victoria, have grounded the operations pending review to ensure that there’s nothing systemic like a fuel problem or something,” Fitzsimmons said. “We’ve [also] got the military helping us with the evaluation of the fuel to rule that out.”
Last edited by rattman; 23rd Jan 2020 at 05:40.
Sad news, the Coulson crews are well respected.
The C-130s had several wing failure crashes in the late 1990's/early 2000s, that grounded the firefighting fleet. It wasnt till Coulson that any were back flying. I know when the U.S. Forest service was set to acquire some from the USAF that wing box replacement was a requirement before acceptance.
I'm hoping this is not another wing failure.
The C-130s had several wing failure crashes in the late 1990's/early 2000s, that grounded the firefighting fleet. It wasnt till Coulson that any were back flying. I know when the U.S. Forest service was set to acquire some from the USAF that wing box replacement was a requirement before acceptance.
I'm hoping this is not another wing failure.

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Very sad. R.I.P.
Three people killed in air tanker crash
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed that three people have died after an RFS air tanker crashed while fighting fires in the Snowy Mountains.
"Our thoughts and prayers and heartfelt condolences go to their families," she said.
"It was a company contracted by the RFS to undertake that vital work and, again, our deepest condolences to those families who have been impacted.
"It demonstrates the dangerous work currently being undertaken and it also demonstrates the conditions that our firefighters are working under."
The large C-130 aircraft is understood to have crashed around 1.45pm near Peak View while conducting water bombing on large fires in the area.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said it appears no one on board the aircraft survived the crash.
"Tragically, there appears to be no survivors as a result of the crash down in the Snowy Monaro area.
"It's impacted heavily with the ground and initial reports are that there was a large fireball associated with the impact of the plane as it hit the ground.
"We've got a number of firefighters and a number of crew that are in the area and working to contain and work around the fire.
"It is still an active fire ground. It did take some time with the use of ground crews and a number of aerial surveillance platforms to try to locate the wreckage."
Coulson Aviation have provided large air tankers to NSW for the past four or five years.
The company has made the decision to ground its other large air tankers as a precaution while crews review the aircrafts to ensure there are no "systematic" issues.
Commissioner Fitzsimmons said at this stage it is not known what caused the crash.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed that three people have died after an RFS air tanker crashed while fighting fires in the Snowy Mountains.
"Our thoughts and prayers and heartfelt condolences go to their families," she said.
"It was a company contracted by the RFS to undertake that vital work and, again, our deepest condolences to those families who have been impacted.
"It demonstrates the dangerous work currently being undertaken and it also demonstrates the conditions that our firefighters are working under."
The large C-130 aircraft is understood to have crashed around 1.45pm near Peak View while conducting water bombing on large fires in the area.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said it appears no one on board the aircraft survived the crash.
"Tragically, there appears to be no survivors as a result of the crash down in the Snowy Monaro area.
"It's impacted heavily with the ground and initial reports are that there was a large fireball associated with the impact of the plane as it hit the ground.
"We've got a number of firefighters and a number of crew that are in the area and working to contain and work around the fire.
"It is still an active fire ground. It did take some time with the use of ground crews and a number of aerial surveillance platforms to try to locate the wreckage."
Coulson Aviation have provided large air tankers to NSW for the past four or five years.
The company has made the decision to ground its other large air tankers as a precaution while crews review the aircrafts to ensure there are no "systematic" issues.
Commissioner Fitzsimmons said at this stage it is not known what caused the crash.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has announced it will launch an investigation into the deadly C-130 large air tanker crash.
The organisation is deploying a team of transport safety investigators with experience in aircraft operations, maintenance and data recovery to the site of the crash in order to collect evidence.
ATSB investigaotrs also analyse any available recorded data, review weather information and interview any witnesses.
"A preliminary report will be released in approximately 30 days," the ATSB said in a statement.
"However, should a critical safety issue we identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant stakeholders so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken."
The organisation is deploying a team of transport safety investigators with experience in aircraft operations, maintenance and data recovery to the site of the crash in order to collect evidence.
ATSB investigaotrs also analyse any available recorded data, review weather information and interview any witnesses.
"A preliminary report will be released in approximately 30 days," the ATSB said in a statement.
"However, should a critical safety issue we identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant stakeholders so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken."

Sad news, the Coulson crews are well respected.
The C-130s had several wing failure crashes in the late 1990's/early 2000s, that grounded the firefighting fleet. It wasnt till Coulson that any were back flying. I know when the U.S. Forest service was set to acquire some from the USAF that wing box replacement was a requirement before acceptance.
I'm hoping this is not another wing failure.
The C-130s had several wing failure crashes in the late 1990's/early 2000s, that grounded the firefighting fleet. It wasnt till Coulson that any were back flying. I know when the U.S. Forest service was set to acquire some from the USAF that wing box replacement was a requirement before acceptance.
I'm hoping this is not another wing failure.
The Flight tracking shows a very sudden deceleration before tracking is loss. I checked and they should have been 1500-2000 feet above the terrain when tracking was lost.
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RIP.
Nothing I can say here expresses the depth of my condolences, my sadness or my eternal thanks.
You made the ultimate sacrifice for us in coming here to help. I didnt know you, and will never have the privilage of meeting you.....but thank you.
You left your families, your homes and your country to come here in our time of need.
People knew you for who you were. We will remember you for what you have done. You will not be forgotten.
Nothing I can say here expresses the depth of my condolences, my sadness or my eternal thanks.
You made the ultimate sacrifice for us in coming here to help. I didnt know you, and will never have the privilage of meeting you.....but thank you.
You left your families, your homes and your country to come here in our time of need.
People knew you for who you were. We will remember you for what you have done. You will not be forgotten.
Last edited by Walking Ballast; 23rd Jan 2020 at 07:03.