A WC-130 Hercules cargo plane from the 156th Airlift Wing of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard crashed near Savannah, Georgia, leaving at least five of the nine onboard dead, per officials who spoke with WBTV and an update from the Associated Press. The plane was being used on a training mission.
The crash happened near the intersection of GA-21 and Gulfstream Road in Port Wentworth, Georgia, at around 11:30 a.m. ET. No cause has been given for the crash yet, however, there is a media briefing at 2:00 p.m. ET on the incident.
A witness who spoke with WTOC said that the plane rolled upside down before turning straight into the ground and crashing.
A statement by the 165th Airlift Wing which operates out of the Air National Guard base in Savannah stated that the names involved will be released after the next-of-kin have been notified.
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Military Times reports that the C-130 in use was specifically a WC-130, which is a cargo plane frequently used on weather reconnaissance missions.
The C-130 Hercules crashed close enough to the Savannah-Hilton Head airport to affect flights in and out of the airport, so those flying into the area have been advised to check with their airline as to the situation, reports WBTV. The airport has a page here where you can check to see if your flight is affected.
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Additionally, phone, power and network services were shut down at the nearby Port Wentworth Elementary and Rice Creek School due to the crash, although there are no other effects on the school. Gulfstream Road was entirely shut down and traffic was affected on nearby roads as a result.
We will update this story as more information is released.
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UPDATE [1:57 p.m.]: An official from the Georgia Air National Guard confirmed to the AP that at least five people died in this crash. The headline was updated to reflect this.
UPDATE [2:05 p.m.]: Power in the area was knocked out for more than just the schools as well, Effingham County Sheriffs Department representative Gena Bilbo confirmed in a media briefing. Train tracks were also affected by the crash, shutting down train service in the area.
The roads involved will be closed indefinitely as they clean up the jet fuel and other materials from the crash. No cars were hit in the crash.
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Military representatives will give a media briefing at 3:00 p.m. ET.
[H/T Dusty Ventures!]
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