Officials announce aircraft accident investigation board findings Published Jan. 7, 2009 Air Mobility Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Air Mobility Command today released the results of its investigation into the June 27 accident involving a C-130H assigned to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, in which the aircraft made an emergency landing in an Iraqi field. An Accident Investigation Board, convened by AMC, found that three of the aircraft's four engines malfunctioned, resulting in a power loss following the crew's response to a defensive system alert shortly after takeoff. Although the board was unable to identify the exact cause of the engines' malfunction, the AIB determined that the defensive system alert, the decision to respond to the alert at low altitude and airspeed, and the low altitude and airspeed at the time of the malfunction contributed to the mishap. The AIB also concluded that the aircraft's crew responded appropriately to the defensive system alert and correctly executed a limited power, controlled descent after the engines malfunctioned. The mishap occurred after takeoff from Baghdad International Airport at around noon local time. The 38 personnel on board safely exited the aircraft with no major injuries. The aircraft sustained significant structural damage and was a total loss. A separate safety investigation into the accident was also conducted, which is standard procedure in the case of serious accidents. The results of safety investigations are used to take any appropriate corrective actions to prevent similar mishaps in the future. Safety investigation reports are privileged and not publicly releasable.