In a surprising incident, a component from a military aircraft made an unexpected landing in the parking lot of Divine Redeemer School in Hanahan, South Carolina. The tail cone of a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III detached and plummeted to the ground around 4 p.m. on Thursday, reportedly due to a malfunction during flight.
According to a spokesperson from Joint Base Charleston, the aircraft successfully returned to base after the incident, and an investigation is currently underway. The flight crew notified the base when the tail cone fell off, and a recovery team was dispatched to retrieve it from the school’s parking area. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries or damage to property.
Traffic anchor and Navy veteran “Trooper Bob” Beres was among the first to share the news, posting a picture of the tail cone on X, formerly Twitter. His updates confirmed the aircraft type and reassured that the base was informed of the situation.
Hanahan, South Carolina-
WOW! A viewer tells me her dad took these pictures. This fell out of the sky and onto the parking lot of Divine Redeemer School in Hanahan around 4pm today.
📸: H. Nguyen @ABCNews4
Update: A military pilot tells me that’s a rear tail cone off a C-17.… pic.twitter.com/o2J8eewbRp— Trooper Bob (@TrooperBob_SC) September 12, 2024
This incident adds to Boeing’s challenges, especially since the company is currently dealing with lawsuits related to a separate incident involving a faulty door panel on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX, resulting in injuries and grounded aircraft.
What is the C-17 Globemaster III?
The C-17 Globemaster III, designed and manufactured by Boeing, is a versatile military cargo aircraft capable of transporting troops, cargo, and even performing medical evacuations. Known for its operational flexibility, it can land and take off from short runways and navigate narrow spaces effectively.
Measuring 53 meters in length and boasting a wingspan of 51.75 meters, the C-17 typically operates with a three-person crew and can carry up to 102 paratroopers or 170,900 pounds of cargo. Since its first operational use in 1995, the Air Force has expanded its fleet to 223 C-17s, which have played crucial roles in various missions, including the recent evacuation from Afghanistan.