[Greg Hyde]

Three dead after Large Air Tanker crashes while fighting bushfires in southern NSW

Three crew members died when a Large Air Tanker crashed while fighting a bushfire west of Cooma.

"Tragically, there appears to be no survivors as a result of the crash down in the Snowy Monaro area," NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.

"[The aircraft] impacted heavily with the ground and initial reports are that there was a large fireball associated with the impact of the plane as it hit the ground."

Commissioner Fitzsimmons said there was no indication on what caused the accident, but is working with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) to determine what happened.

The Lockeheed C-130 Hercules was contracted through American aerial firefighting company, Coulson Aviation, which have now grounded their Large Air Tankers fleet as a precaution and as "a mark of respect".

"Our thoughts and prayers are with them now in this most awful of times," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

"Our hearts are with all those that are suffering in what is the loss of three remarkable, well respected, crew that have invested so many decades of their life into firefighting.”

The RFS said the aircraft was engaged in "routine" waterbombing activities at the time of the crash.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-...hfire/11893554