U.S. Military Plane Crashes, Killing 3
A U.S. Air Force cargo plane overshot a runway, crashed into a busy street and burst into flames Tuesday, killing three of those aboard.
After touching down on the runway of Toncontin International Airport in the Honduran capital, the plane rose into the air again.
But then it dropped down, went off the end of the runway and slid 200 yards, said Col. Fernando Soto, chief of the government civil aeronautics office at the airport.
The plane caught fire as it came to a stop on a major street often crowded with cars and pedestrians.
The spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy, Marti Estell, said three people aboard the C-130 died and the seven others aboard were injured. Their names were withheld pending notification of relatives.
No one on the ground was reported injured.
Soto said it was not clear what caused the crash. The Air Force was investigating.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
