x
Breaking News
More () »

16 killed in military plane crash in Leflore County, Mississippi

GREENWOOD, Miss. — All 16 people on board a military transport plane were killed after it crashed in Leflore County, Mississippi Monday night. The Marine ...
170710233103-plane-crash-mississippi-exlarge-tease

GREENWOOD, Miss. — All 16 people on board a military transport plane were killed after it crashed in Leflore County, Mississippi Monday night.

The Marine Corps aircraft was a KC-130T from a Marine Corps Forces Reserve aerial refueling and transport squadron based at Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh, New York, the service said Tuesday. Fifteen Marines and one Navy corpsman died in the crash, the service said.

The flight originated from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and the squadron was helping to transport personnel and equipment from there to Naval Air Field El Centro in California, the Marine Corps Forces Reserve said in a news release. “Equipment on board included various small arms ammunition and personal weapons. An explosive ordnance disposal team is at the scene as a precaution in the interest of safety,” the release says.

There are reports that a mid-air explosion may have brought the KC-130 military plane down, but local officials could not confirm that.

“At this time, we’re getting more information to work this incident, the scene out, to see further what we need to do,” said Fred Randle, the Leflore County Emergency Management Director.

Secretary of the Interior and Navy SEAL Ryan Zinke and Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen were among several who tweeted their condolences.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant also issued a statement, honoring the lives lost, saying: “Our men and women in uniform risk themselves every day to secure our freedom.”

Officials are expected to provide an update Tuesday afternoon.

Before You Leave, Check This Out