The RFS lost contact with a C-130 Hercules, similar to this one. Photo: Facebook NSW RFS.
UPDATE 5:20 pm The Australian Defence Force is helping locate the wreckage of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules firefighting air tanker that crashed this afternoon claiming the three lives of its American crew.
NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the plane had deployed from the Richmond RAAF base with a load of fire retardant.
It was headed for the Good Good fire ground north-east of Cooma.
Mr Fitzsimmons said the loss “hurts deeply”.
The aircraft was contracted through American aerial firefighting company Coulson Aviation. They have grounded their fleet as a precaution and mark of respect.
UPDATE 4:45 pm NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed three people have lost their lives after a large air tanker contracted to the RFS crashed in the Snowy Monaro area earlier today.
NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said all three occupants were US citizens. Police and the ATSB are investigating the crash and undertaking recovery operations.
It was earlier reported that the aircraft, a Lockheed EC-130 Hercules, registration N134CG, was carrying out a search on the Good Good fire ground north-east of Cooma.
The unverified flight path of the missing C-130 air tanker. Image: Flightpath24.
UPDATE 4:00 pm The NSW Rural Fire Service lost contact with the air tanker fighting a blaze north-east of Cooma in the Snowy Monaro area.
“Local ground crews indicate the aircraft may have crashed,” the RFS said. “A number of helicopters are in the area carrying out a search.”
“No further information is available at this time.”
There are reports the aircraft, a Lockheed EC-130 Hercules, registration N134CG from RAAF Base Richmond was carrying out a search on the Good Good fire ground north-east of Cooma.It is believed there were three people on board.
There is an emergency warning in place for a blaze burning towards Adaminaby in the Snowy Monaro region.
The NSW Rural Fire Service is investigating reports of a serious incident involving an aircraft in southern NSW this afternoon.
Contact was lost with a Large Air Tanker which was working in the Snowy Monaro area. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/i6u1mlZsZ0— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 23, 2020
Original Article published by Michael Weaver on About Regional.
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Very sad.
Such a tragedy
It’s so sad to hear of more lives lost especially when they were here on a mission to help us tackle the bush fire crisis. Such a tragedy. It’s time they ditch the old methods of simply containing the fires and come up with new methods to extinguish the fires from the start once and for all! It’s terrible. Australia will forever be grateful and in debt for the sacrifice you have made procuring our land. Our deepest condolences goes out to your families overseas. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you and may all of you Rest In Peace.
Condolences to the families
Deepest sympathy to families of the 3 American crew who lost their lives today . No words will ever be enough to replace your Husbands, Fathers and Sons but our gratitude for their heroic efforts in supporting Australia will never be forgotten
Heartbreaking. Deepest sympathy to their families and friends.
Sorry to here people so far from home have sacrificed so much
Very sad
So sad for their families. They were here to help us.
My heart goes out to all their family and friends 💔
Just so tragic.
It is so sad . Just trying to help us all .
Tragic 😥, ALL HEROES ❤, condolences to their families
Tragic news. 😥
It’s too much. 💔 those immediately affected I’m so so sorry
Oh so sad when they were doing their job.