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ATSB issues update on fatal C-130 Hercules firefighting crash

Date:	Thursday 23 January 2020
Time:	13:16
Type:	Lockheed EC-130Q Hercules
Operator:	Coulson Aviation
Registration:	N134CG
C/n / msn:	4904
First flight:	1981
Engines:	4 Allison T56-A-15
Crew:	Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3
Passengers:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0
Total:	Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3
Aircraft damage:	Destroyed
Aircraft fate:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	near Cooma, NSW (   Australia)
Crash site elevation:	1048 m (3438 feet) amsl
Phase:	Maneuvering (MNV)
Nature:	Fire fighting
Departure airport:	Richmond RAAF Base, NSW (XRH/YSRI), Australia
Destination airport:	Richmond RAAF Base, NSW (XRH/YSRI), Australia

Narrative:
A Lockheed C-130 Hercules firefighting aircraft impacted terrain and burst into flames near Cooma, north-east of the Snowy Mountains in Australia. All three crew members died in the accident.
The aircraft, contracted to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, departed Richmond RAAF Base, Australia at 12:05 local time. The crew had been tasked with a fire retardant drop over the 'Adaminaby Complex' bush fire.
After approaching the Adaminaby complex fire, the drop was unable to be completed and the aircraft was diverted to a secondary tasking, to drop retardant on the 'Good Good' fire. Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft complete a number of circuits, prior to completing the retardant drop. The drop was conducted on a heading of about 190°, at about 200 ft above ground level, with a drop time of approximately 2 seconds. The crew released about 1,200 US gallons (4,500 L) of fire retardant during the drop.
Witness videos taken of the aircraft leading up to the accident showed a number of passes conducted at varying heights prior to the retardant drop. Following the retardant drop, the aircraft was observed to bank left, before becoming obscured by smoke after about 5 seconds. A further 15 seconds after this, the aircraft was seen flying at a very low height above the ground, in a left wing down attitude. Shortly after, at about 13:16, the aircraft collided with terrain and a post-impact fuel-fed fire ensued. The three crew were fatally injured and the aircraft was destroyed.