A Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military aircraft experienced a malfunction mid-flight, resulting in the tail cone falling into a school parking lot in Hanahan, South Carolina. The aircraft safely landed back at Joint Base Charleston after the incident. A team from the base was sent to the Divine Redeemer School to recover the fallen piece, and no injuries or property damage were reported. The incident was first reported by “Trooper Bob,” a Navy veteran and traffic anchor, who shared images of the tail cone on social media.
The crew of the C-17 notified the air base when the tail cone fell off during the flight, indicating that they were aware of the issue before returning to base. The Divine Redeemer School has not confirmed whether any students were in the parking lot when the tail cone fell. This latest malfunction could pose a challenge for Boeing, which is already facing lawsuits following a previous incident involving a door panel coming off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX plane mid-flight. Safety concerns have been raised about Boeing in the past, prompting an investigation into the company’s practices.
The C-17 Globemaster III is a large aircraft used for transporting cargo, troops, and performing aeromedical evacuations. It is known for its flexibility and ability to operate on short runways and narrow spaces. With a three-man crew and the capability to carry a load of 102 paratroopers or 170,900 pounds of cargo, the C-17 is a versatile aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force for various missions. The first C-17s were operational in 1995, and the fleet has since grown to 223 aircraft operated by the Air Military Command from different locations.
Boeing, the contractor for the C-17 Globemaster III, is responsible for the design and production of the aircraft. Following the incident at Divine Redeemer School, an investigation is likely to determine the cause of the malfunction. The safety of Boeing aircraft has come under scrutiny due to previous incidents, such as the faulty door panel on a Boeing 737 MAX plane. Despite these challenges, the C-17 remains a critical asset for the U.S. Air Force and has been involved in various missions, including the evacuation efforts in Afghanistan in 2021. Updates on the investigation into the malfunction of the C-17 at Divine Redeemer School are pending from authorities.
