Marines from Stewart among those killed in Mississippi plane crash, 16 dead

[Historic NY]

ITTA BENA, Miss. (AP) — A Marine Corps refueling plane crashed and burned in a soybean field in the Mississippi Delta, killing all 16 military members aboard in a wreck that scattered debris for miles and sent a pillar of black smoke rising over the countryside.

It was the deadliest Marine crash — in the U.S. or abroad — since 2005.

Fifteen Marines and a Navy corpsman were on board the KC-130 tanker when it corkscrewed into the ground Monday afternoon about 85 miles (135 kilometers) north of Jackson, the state capital, military officials said. A witness said some bodies were found more than a mile away.

The Marines gave no immediate details on the cause of the crash. The FBI joined the investigation, but Marine Corps Maj. Andrew Aranda told reporters no foul play was suspected.

The KC-130 is used to refuel aircraft in flight.

The flight originated from the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and was taking people and equipment to Naval Air Field El Centro, California, when it went down, officials said.

Some of the Marines were from a reserve squadron based in at Stewart Airbase in Newburgh, New York, the military said.


[link:http://www.recordonline.com/news/20170711/marines-from-stewart-among-those-killed-in-mississippi-plane-crash-16-dead|