Hercules C-130

Hercules C-130 aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, are military transport planes used by various nations. They are in the news due to two recent fatal crashes. In Colombia, a Hercules C-130 operated by the Colombian Air Force crashed shortly after takeoff on March 23, 2026, killing at least 66 people, including military personnel and police officers. The plane was carrying 128 people. The cause of the crash is currently unknown and is under investigation. Separately, a Bolivian Air Force Hercules C-130 cargo plane crashed near La Paz, Bolivia, on February 28, 2026, killing at least 15 people. This plane was transporting newly printed Bolivian currency and crashed while attempting to land in bad weather, veering off the runway and onto a highway. These incidents highlight the risks associated with air transport and raise questions about aircraft safety and maintenance within the respective air forces.