[68skylark]

Thanks for keeping us updated about this -- I've been wanting to know what brought this plane down.

If it was a bomb, I hope they figure out who did it and how it got there.

[map]

I'm sure that they have eliminated wind-shear conditions and center fuel tank problems as possible causes.

[Blood of Tyrants]

They let a terrorist on board their plane?

[Shermy]

That missile video got out pretty quick. Maybe it was created as some disinfo by ex-mukharabat to distract attention from the fact they had a mole in the airport?

[Strategerist]

Didn't the Sun report a few days ago the plane was hit by 8 SAMs or some such nonsense?

One problem as more and more foreign sources get posted on FR is that people really don't have a handle on the tabloid nature or reliability of a lot of them (Good example: "India Daily" which sounded official but turns out to basically be a raving kook site.)

[ASOC]

""But sabotage is a another distinct possibility. Metal fatigue is another option but is conside"

I seem to recall some pretty graphic video of a C130 used for firefighting in SoCal that had a wing come off during ops. No Ji-hate-ists around then...

Just how old was this Brit C130?

[jwpjr]

This should be a pretty simple investigation as to whether or not it was a bomb. If they have the severed wing it should be replete with evidence of the explosion, including residue that would identify the agent used. The aircraft components in the area of a missile strike would bear unmistakable evidence of the object striking the aircraft plus evidence of the explosion. Separation of the wing as a result of metal fatigue would also be readily discernable. I would hope they are using the expertise of a number of nations in the investigation. Much of what is reported in the article really doesn't add up. Wonder what they mean by the 'mayday button'. Losing a wing at altitude should not always cause an inflight breakup. Look at the old WWII photos of fully loaded bombers having a wing come off and simply spiraling to earth intact while the crew is seen bailing out one after the other. If it was high enough for to be out of missile range and a wing came off before the start of its descent there would be a relatively long trail of debris. Although I know very little of the science involved in these investigations I am always impressed by the outcomes.

[Tommyjo]

"PRESS RELEASE -- Secretary of the Air Force, Directorate of Public Affairs


Release No. 02-06
February 11, 2005


C-130Es Grounded


SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill - Air Mobility Command Commander, Gen. John W.
Handy, directed 30 U.S. Air Force C-130E model aircraft be grounded Feb 10. An additional 60 C-130 aircraft, ncluding some of the E, H, H1, and HC-130 N/P models were placed on restricted flight status to minimize wing stress and increase the safety margin.


The 30 C-130E aircraft were grounded based upon a recommendation by the C-130 System Program Office at Robins AFB, Ga. Since 2001, a series of inspections of the center wing box structure of C-130 has revealed that
cracks to the structure were greater in number and severity than originally expected.


Most of the aircraft affected are in AMC's inventory, but affected aircraft are also assigned to Air Education and Training Command, Pacific Air Forces, US Air Forces in Europe, the Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve
Command.


"Working together with the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command and our active duty units, we are committed to meeting our requirements to war
fighters around the world', Handy said."