Indonesian Air Force C-130 crashes

A Indonesian Air Force C-130H has crashed near Wamena today at around 06:05 CET. The former RAAF transport plane had crashed into terrain with 12 on board.

Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU) air crew stand with maintainers and RAAF Base Richmond senior leadership in front of TNI-AU's newly acquired C-130H Hercules A-1334. *** Local Caption *** A handover ceremony at RAAF Base Richmond on February 8th saw the first ex-RAAF C-130H Hercules being sold to the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) being handed over to its new owner. Commanding Officer of the TNI-AU's 31st Squadron, Lieutenant Colonel Wisoko 'Wish' Aribowo, received the key for the aircraft from Senior Australian Defence Force Officer for RAAF Base Richmond, Air Commodore Richard Lennon. The aircraft, which was serialled A97-005 in RAAF service, is now serial A-1334 in TNI-AU service, and underwent maintenance and modification work by Airbus Group Australia Pacific at RAAF Base Richmond. The RAAF retired the last of its 12 C-130Hs in November 2012. The Federal Government offered four of these aircraft for transfer to the TNI-AU, and as of 2016, three of these airframes are in service with the TNI-AU. Another five C-130Hs, along with simulator and spare parts, are being sold to the TNI-AU at a discounted rate. These C-130Hs will further enhance Indonesia’s capacity to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian crisis. — Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU) air crew stand with maintainers and RAAF Base Richmond senior leadership in front of TNI-AU’s newly acquired C-130H Hercules A-1334.

Photo: Australian Department of Defence

The plane was on the approach to land at Wamena and the pilot’s last contact with the control tower was at 06:02. It was scheduled to land at 06:13.

It was the first of five ex-RAAF C-130Hs that was sold by Australia to Indonesia at a discounted rate. The aircraft was transferred to Indonesia at the ceremony at RAAF Base Richmond on Feb. 8.