According to the Accident Investigation Board reviewing the June 27, 2008 crash of a C-130H2 near Baghdad Airport, three of the transport’s four engines decayed to 60 percent RPM while the pilot “reacted in accordance with applicable directives” to handle a defensive system alert that occurred just as the aircraft lifted off. The aircraft was just 60 seconds off the runway at about 313 feet, which, combined with the low airspeed, hampered the crew’s attempt to regain power on the three stalled engines, stated the AIB executive summary. The crew managed to make a hard landing in a field, enabling all 38 people on board to evacuate with only minor injuries, but the aircraft was a total loss, estimated at nearly $40 million.
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.