1981 — Feb 26, USAF MC-130 Plane Crash, off NAS Cubi Point, Philippines –17 US of 23
— 23 Altoona Mirror, PA. “Search Called Off for Missing Plane.” 2-28-1981,16.
— 23 ASN. Accident description. USAF Lockheed MC-130EY Hercules, off Tabones Island
— 23 Baugher, Joseph F. 1964 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-16-2012 revision.
— 6-23 Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. “Search for 17 from U.S. plane.” 2-27-1981, 10.
— 23 Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 128.
— 23 Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. “Spy plane skimmed seas before crash.” 3-1-1981, p. 11.
–16-23 Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Air Force Transport Crashes…Sea…” 2-26-1981, 10.
— 23 Pacific Stars and Stripes. “Subic ships sent to retrieve HC-130 debris.” 3-4-1981, 8.
— 23 Wikipedia. “Lockheed MC-130.” 2-12-2012 modification.
Narrative Information
Aviation Safety Network:
“Type: Lockheed MC-130EY Hercules[1]
“First flight: 1965
“Crew: Fatalities: 8…
“Passengers: Fatalities: 15…
“Total: Fatalities: 23 / Occupants: 24….
“Location: off Tabones Island (Philippines)
“Phase: En route…
“Departure airport: Luzon Island-Cubi Point NAS (NCP), Philippines….
“Narrative: Crashed in sea during a low level run.” (Aviation Safety Network. Accident Description. United States Air Force, Lockheed MC-130EY Hercules, off Tabones Island (Philippines), 26 Feb 1981.)
Baugher: “Lockheed C-130E-LM Hercules….0564 (c/n 382-4074) converted to HC-130E. Crashed into South China Sea on approach to NAS Cubi Point, Philippines Feb 26, 1981. 23 out of 24 onboard killed. (ASN).” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1964 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-16-2012 revision.)
Gero: “Date: 26 February 1981 (c.05:25)….
“The four-engine turboprop aircraft crashed around 15 miles (25km) west-north-west of Subi Point Naval Air Station, from where it had taken off about an hour earlier, on a tactical exercise. Among the 24 servicemen aboard, all but one member of the crew of nine assigned to 64-0564 lost their lives. The seriously injured survivor was rescued by local fishermen, and the bodies of six victims were also recovered. The passengers consisted of American, Australian, Filipino and New Zealand military personnel. Local fishermen reported seeing the C130, which had been flying at a low altitude in predawn darkness and visual meteorological conditions, strike the surface of the water in a shallow descent, explode, burn and sink. No further information about the crash was, however, released by the US Air Force.” (Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 128.)
Newspapers
Feb 26: “Subic Bay Naval Base, Philippines (UPI) – A U.S. Philippines (UPI) — A U.S. C-130 Hercules transport plane exploded and crashed into the South China Sea today killing 16 people, the Navy reported. Seven others were missing and presumed dead. Most of the 24 aboard were Americans.
“Air Force 1st Lt. Jeffrey A. Blohm. 27, of Hamburg, N.Y. survived the crash that occurred during a four-nation war exercise. He suffered a fractured left leg, cuts and bruises and was hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
“No trace of the missing was found during a 12-hour search. The search was suspended at nightfall and was to resume at dawn.
“The U.S. Air Force transport was carrying military personnel from the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines. “If they (missing passengers) are still in the water, I would imagine they’re no longer alive,” a Navy spokesman said. “Debris scattered in the crash site,” he said, “indicated that the plane must have disintegrated as it went down.”
“The cause of the crash was not known.
“The plane plunged into the South China Sea off Tabones, a rocky island used for bombing practice 20 miles northwest of the U.S. Subic Bay Naval Base. The naval base is 60 miles north of Manila.
“The C-130 crashed 10 minutes after taking off from the American Navy airfield at nearby Cubi Point to join in the “special Warfare Exercises-8l.”
“Exercise-81 is a routine small-unit amphibious training program involving underwater demolition teams and support personnel equipment.
“Two U.S. Navy ships – the White Plains and the Whipple — were conducting search and rescue operations near the crash site aided by aircraft and launches.” (Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. “Air Force Transport Crashes in South China Sea; 16 Dead.” 2-26-1981, 10.)
Feb 27: “Subic Bay Naval Base, Philippines (UPI) — Rescuers combed a bombing range in the South China Sea today for 17 men missing and feared dead in the crash of a U.S. Air Force transport plane, the Navy reported. Authorities confirmed that six of the 24 people board the MC-130 Hercules transport were killed. The plane crashed and disintegrated 10 minutes after takeoff near the Tabones Isles, a cluster of reefs and shoals 20 miles northwest of the 7th Fleet logistics center in the Philippines.
“Navy officials confirmed that U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Stephen A. Blyer, 32, of Cupertino, Calif., died in the crash.
“Authorities in Sydney identified the three Australians on board as Sgt. Ewan Mosman Miller, 32; Signalman Gregory Kendal Fry, 24, and Sgt. Morris Tonkin. They were members of the Australian army’s crack special air service commando unit.
“Officials at Subic Bay said two New Zealanders were among the confirmed dead.
The Navy report said the plane carried 17 Americans, three Australians, two New Zealanders and two Filipinos participating in a 19-day war game operation that had been scheduled to end today.
“The exercise was scrubbed immediately after the crash. The search for the missing men was suspended overnight but resumed at dawn. A spokesman said a U.S. Air Force helicopter was sent aloft to support a seaborne rescue mission led by the Navy ships White Plains and Whipple.
“Filipino fishermen who witnessed the crash said the plane exploded in a flash of light when it hit the sea just before dawn Thursday. “We saw the plane coming, its lights still on,” fisherman Leni Botea, 23, told Air Force investigators. “The plane was about 7 to 10 feet above the water, tilting to the left obviously attempting a turn. It exploded on hitting the water.” Botea raced to the scene of the crash where he found 1st Lt. Jeffrey A. Blohm. 27, of Hamburg, N.Y., floating on a small life raft and moaning for help. Blohm, the only known survivor of the crash, suffered a fractured left leg. Cuts and bruises and was listed in satisfactory condition today. A Navy spokesman said missing men still in the water might already be dead.” (Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. “Search for 17 from U.S. plane.” 2-27-1981, 10.)
Feb 28: “Subic Bay Naval Base, Philippines (UPI) – American authorities today called off a search in the South China Sea for 17 commandos feared killed in the crash of a U.S Air Force intelligence plane during a four-nation war exercise. The plane, a specially equipped MC-130 E Hercules, crashed shortly after takeoff Thursday with 24 American, Australian, New Zealand and Philippine commandos aboard. One American survived.
“At least six men were confirmed dead, but officials today said there was no hope of finding 17 missing passengers alive and withdrew ships and launches searching the South China sea for survivors.
“An Air Force helicopter today overflew the crash site off the Tambones Islands. 20 miles northwest of Subic Bay Naval Base, but found no trace of the 17 missing men.
“Witnesses said the U.S. Air Force intelligence plane was flying 10 feet over the surface of the sea just before the crash. The plane banked and hit the sea, exploding in a fiery ball….Of the six known dead, only one was identified — tech. Sgt. Stephen A. Blyer, 32, of Cupertino, California. Authorities were having difficulty determining the passengers identities because the bodies were mangled. The men were either in shorts or diving gears and carried no documentation….
“Navy sources said it was normal for a plane participating in clandestine war exercise to fly low to simulate conditions where an aircraft has to avoid radar detection. Authorities have called off
the war exercise which began Feb. 9.” (Altoona Mirror, PA. “Search Called Off for Missing Plane.” 2-28-1981,16.)
March 1: “San Antonio, Philippines (UPI) — Witnesses told a naval investigating committee Friday that a U.S. spy plane was flying seven to 10 feet above the sea in predawn darkness when it exploded in a ball of fire while attempting to turn. Navy authorities said the MC-130E Hercules transport was carrying 24 crewmen and passengers when it crashed Thursday during four-nation war exercises — 17 Americans, three Australians, two New Zealanders and two Filipinos.
“The only known survivor was 1st Lt. Jeffrey A. Blohm, 27, of Hamburg, N.Y., who was picked up by two fishermen. He suffered a fractured leg and is listed in satisfactory condition.
“The authorities said six bodies had been recovered. Seventeen other people were missing and feared dead. Although search operations are continuing, U.S. navy officials gave up hope of finding any other survivors….
The missing Americans were identified as
Senior Airman James B. Bach, 21, Teaneck, N.J.;
Senior Airman David W. Bingaman, 24, Danville, Pa.;
Senior Airman Glenn D. Bloomer, 21, Montclair, N.J.;
T-Sgt. Barry R. Chumbley, 33, Ingle, Ky.;
S-Sgt. John T. Selton, 32. New York City;
Maj. James M. Kirk, Los Angeles, Calif.;
T-Sgt. Garry W. Logan, 37, Orange, Calif.;
Capt. Norman L. Martel, 26, Burlington, Vt.;
Capt. Thomas D. Patterson, 34, Corinth, Miss.;
Capt. Gregory S. Peppers, 29, Fort Worth, Tex., and
Airman 1st Class Kyle B. Wells, 20, of Pasadena, Tex.
“The four-engine Hercules, specially fitted for clandestine operation, plunged into the South China Sea off the Tabones isles shortly after it took off at 5:20 a.m. from the nearby U.S. Subic Bay Naval base, 60 miles northwest of Manila.
“Leni Botea, 23, a Filipino fishermen, told the three-member investigating panel he was in his motor boat when he spotted the plane with its lights still on about 1,000 yards away. “The plane was about seven to 10 feet above the water, tilting to the left obviously attempting a turn,” Botea said. “It exploded on hitting the water.” He said the tail fell off and the cockpit burst into flames. “Within minutes it disappeared.” Botea and his companion, Fernando Ancho, 21, raced to the crash site and found Blohm lying in a half inflated life raft. They said they took Blohm to shore and turned him over to American rescuers who came to San Antonio, a coastal municipality about 20 miles northwest of Subic and near the crash site at Tabones, a cluster islets used by the United States for practice bombing.
“The fishermen said they also retrieved three bodies and also turned over to investigators two helmets and two walkie talkies….” (Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. “Spy plane skimmed seas before crash.” Sunday 3-1-1981, p. 11.)
March 4, Stars and Stripes: “Subic Bay NB, Philippines (UPI) — Two Navy ships have been ordered to retrieve wreckage from an Air Force HC-130 that crashed last week – to help a board of investigation determine the cause of the crash. Only one of the crewman was rescued. Six bodies were found and 17 missing. The accident occurred during a low-level flight exercise.
“The oceanographic research ship Chauvenet and the salvage vessel Beaufort will be attempting
to locate the Hercules transport’s wreckage in the South China Sea about 20 miles northwest of Subic Bay. The plane crashed off Tabones, a cluster of reefs and shoals used by the United States for practice bombing, shortly after taking off from Subic Thursday during a four-nation special operations exercise….” (Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo. “Subic ships sent to retrieve HC-130 debris.” 3-4-1981, 8.)
Wikipedia: “Former Heavy Chain[2] and Desert One[3] veteran 64-0564 crashed into the ocean shortly after a pre-dawn takeoff from NAS Cubi Point, Philippines, on February 26, 1981, killing 15 passengers and eight of nine crewmen. The Talon was taking part in Special Warfare Exercise 81 and had flown 12 missions in the preceding 16 days. Following an administrative flight the day before, the crew was scheduled for its last mission, a night exercise that was set back from 01:00 local time to 04:30. The flight profile consisted of a normal takeoff, a tactical landing a half hour later to unload 15 Navy SEALs, followed by a tactical takeoff. The Talon reported normal flight conditions six minutes after the tactical takeoff, but crashed nine minutes later. No cause was determined, but investigators found that the likely causes were either crew fatigue from operations tempo, or failure of the terrain following radar to enter “override” mode while over water.” (Wikipedia. “Lockheed MC-130.” 2-12-2012 modification.)
Sources
Aviation Safety Network. Accident Description. United States Air Force, Lockheed MC-130EY Hercules, off Tabones Island (Philippines), 26 Feb 1981. Accessed 2-26-2012 at:
http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19810226-0
Baugher, Joseph F. 1964 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-16-2012 revision. Accessed 2-26-2012 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1964.html
Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999.
United Press International. “Air Force Transport Crashes in South China Sea; 16 Dead.” Logansport Pharos-Tribune, IN. 2-26-1981, 10. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=109296388
United Press International. “Search Called Off for Missing Plane.” Altoona Mirror, PA. 2-28-1981, p. 16. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=70229697
United Press International. “Search for 17 from U.S. plane.” Daily Intelligencer, Doylestown, PA. 2-27-1981, 10. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=26353626
United Press International. “Spy plane skimmed seas before crash.” Hawk Eye, Burlington, IA. 3-1-1981, p. 11. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=147952526
United Press International. “Subic ships sent to retrieve HC-130 debris.” Pacific Stars and Stripes, Tokyo, Japan. 3-4-1981, p. 8. Accessed at: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=133898768
Wikipedia. “Lockheed MC-130.” 2-12-2012 modification. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_MC-130
[1] The Lockheed MC-130 is the basic designation for a family of special mission aircraft operated by the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)… Based on the C-130 Hercules transport, their mission is the infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces, and the air refueling of (primarily) special operations helicopter and tilt-rotor aircraft.” (Wikipedia. “Lockheed MC-130.” 2-12-2012 modification.)
[2] Alleged “…agent dropping and other clandestine missions in Southeast Asia…” during Vietnam war. (Wikipedia. “1198th Operational Evaluation and Training Squadron.” 6-4-2011 modification.)
[3] Failed operation to rescue Americans taken hostage at U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran by supporters of Ayatollah Khomeini on November 4, 1979. (Maj. Gianni Koskinas, USAF. “Desert One and Air Force Special Operations Command – A 25-Year Retrospective.” Air & Space Power Journal, Spring (March 1) 2005.