In a horrific turn of events, a Marine Corps plane crashed in Mississippi on Monday, killing a total of 16 people as a result. Of the 16 people, 15 were Marines and the remaining one was a Navy Corpsman. The U.S. Naval Institute labeled the plane crash as the “deadliest Marine Corps aviation mishap since 2005.”
According to ABC News, the Marine Corps KC-130 aircraft crashed in Leflore County at approximately 4PM near Highway 82. Reports indicate that the plane may have exploded while still in the air due to debris scattered across the highway. According to Andy Jones, a local farmer, the plane made a loud booming sound before twirling around in the air and rapidly spiraling down towards the ground.
Following the explosion and crash, Jones immediately headed towards the plane, but the intensity of the fire was overwhelming, halting him from getting close enough to rescue anyone. Apparently, the crash was severe enough to demolish the aircraft. The remains spread across Highway 82 which is more than a mile away from the site of the crash.
