Boeing C-17 Globemaster Plane Crashes in Alaska
A practicing Boeing C-17 Globemaster plane crashed in flames on a takeoff yesterday in Alaska.
The Air Force cargo plane is practicing in preparation for the annual Arctic Thunder air show crashed at the Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska, yet the military officials are tight-lipped on the fate of the four plane crewmembers on aboard.
The plane was assigned to the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf, which is a unit that consist of 6,000 Air force personnel who are flying jet fighters and other military plane.
The accident occurred about 6:14 in the evening in a wooden place northeast of the airfield. The residents near the area noticed the visible fireball and flumes of smoke.
According to Lt. Dave Parker of the Anchorage Police Department, he saw it from his house, adding that it appeared as if it was approximately one mile north of the east west runway.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Dana Atkins refused to say any statement regarding the condition of the crewmembers aboard the aircraft at a news conference later on at the base. He said the ejection from a C-17 Globemaster isn’t possible.
He also stated that the Air Force was obeying military protocol in notifying next of relative.
However, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell as well as United States Senator Mark Begich separately released their statements on Wednesday evening telling they were dishearten by the accident and tender condolences to the family of the crew.
Because of the accident, Atkins stated that the military was thinking whether to continue the air show that likewise highlights precision-flying demonstrations by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and Blue Angels.
The investigation of the cause of the plane crash that happened during humid, cloudy weather conditions in Anchorage is still ongoing.
The tragic air crash in Elmendorf occurred in September 1995, when an AWACS aircraft sucked the numerous geese in the engine just after the takeoff. The plane was on a training mission also and the 24 crewmembers died.
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