Incident Overview
Date: Saturday 10 February 1968
Aircraft Type: Lockheed KC-130F Hercules
Owner/operator: United States Marine Corps
Registration Number: 149813
Location: Khe Sanh –
ÿ Vietnam
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 8 / Occupants: 11
Component Affected: KC-130F Hercules aircraft ? specifically engine number 3 and fuel bladder.KC-130F Hercules aircraft ? specifically engine number 3 and fuel bladder.
A USMC KC-130F Hercules aircraft carrying flamethrowers and jet fuel was struck by .50 calibre gunfire while on final approach to Khe Sanh. Engine number 3 experienced a fire and fuel bladder rupture, leading to a fuel explosion and subsequent fire. Three crew members successfully escaped the burning aircraft.A USMC KC-130F Hercules aircraft carrying flamethrowers and jet fuel was struck by .50 calibre gunfire while on final approach to Khe Sanh. Engine number 3 experienced a fire and fuel bladder rupture, leading to a fuel explosion and subsequent fire. Three crew members successfully escaped the burning aircraft.
Description
The U.S. base at Khe Sanh was being resupplied with ammunition and fuel. One of the aircraft involved in the resupply mission was a USMC KC-130F Hercules, 149813. The airplane carried a load of flamethrowers and some rubber bladders filled with jet fuel. The airplane was on finals the Khe Sanh when it was hit by .50 calibre gunfire. Engine no. 3 caught fire and a fuel bladder was hit. It ruptured and the fuel caught fire. Trailing fire, the pilot managed to land at Khe Sanh. The fuel bladders exploded into flames after touchdown. Just three crew members managed to escape the burning plane.
Source of Information
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1857801156/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=aviationsafetyne&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1857801156http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1857801156/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=aviationsafetyne&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1857801156Primary Cause
Gunfire and fuel explosion caused by a ruptured fuel bladder.Gunfire and fuel explosion caused by a ruptured fuel bladder.Share on:
