2009 California mid-air collision

The 2009 California mid-air collision occurred on 29 October. It involved a Lockheed C-130H Hercules of the United States Coast Guard and a Bell AH-1W Super Cobra of the United States Marine Corps. There were no survivors from the nine crew aboard either aircraft.

Accident
At 19:10 local time on 29 October 2009 (02:10 on 30 October UTC), a Lockheed C-130H Hercules aircraft of the United States Coast Guard was involved in a mid-air collision with a Bell AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter of the United States Marine Corps. The location of the accident was 24 km east off San Clemente Island, California. The Hercules was carrying a crew of seven and the Cobra was carrying a crew of two people. No survivors have been found. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a fireball in the sky. Debris from the collision was reported at the scene. The Hercules was on a mission to search for a missing rower while the Super Cobra was on a training flight. Two Sikorsky MH-60J helicopters along with USCGC Edisto (WPB-1313), USCGC Petrel (WPB-87350) and USCGC Blackfin (WPB-87317) were sent to search the area. USCGC Blacktip (WPB-87326), USCGC George Cobb (WLM-564) and USCGC Jarvis (WHEC-725) later joined the search.

C-130 Hercules
The C-130 Hercules involved was serial number 1705. The aircraft was c/n 382-4993 and it had formerly served with the United States Air Force as 83-0007. It was based at the Coast Guard Air Station in Sacramento, California.

AH-1W Super Cobra
The Super Cobra was operated by Marine Aircraft Group 39, based at Camp Pendleton. Personnel aboard the aircraft belonged to Marine Aircraft Group 39 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, based at Miramar.

Investigation
A joint investigation by the United States Coast Guard and the United States Marine Corps has been opened into the accident. It is headed by Rear Admiral Korn.