Posted on 12/27/2002 9:51:28 PM PST by chance33_98
Tanker Aircraft That Crashed Near Walker was Former CIA Plane
A federal investigator has revealed that some maintenance records for a C-130A firefighting aircraft that broke up in mid-air near Walker are missing, apparently because the plane flew spy missions for the CIA.
George Petterson of the National Transportation Safety Board told The Associated Press the plane was used for a time as an electronic surveillance aircraft for the Central Intelligence Agency. Maintenance records from that period are unavailable. As a result, NTSB investigators cannot determine the flight history of the four-engine aircraft.
The aircraft was used in fighting a wildland fire in June near Walker, California. The wings of the plane snapped off as the C-130A was pulling out from a retardant drop, sending all three crew members to their death.
According to Petterson, the Air Force strengthened the wings of many of its C-130As in the early to mid-1980s. However, because of the plane's covert service, investigators can't tell if it received the new components. The Air Force indicated records regarding the wing modifications have been destroyed.
The aircraft was built by Lockheed in 1956, then served with the U.S. Air Force for a number of years. At some point, it was transferred from regular cargo duty to service with the CIA.
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