German media just published this secret video showing a runaway Heron [shot from the aircraft’s onboard camera] at Mazar-e-Sharif base in North Afghanistan ramming into a Transall C-160 Transport plane.The incident apparently happened on March 17, 2010, but has been kept secret until now. The video show the aircraft racing out of control across the airfield; two soldiers jump clear to avoid being run over, and the Transall was badly damaged.
“The incident could have been much worse if it had happened in day-time when there is more traffic at the base” said a German Army spokesman.
According to Bild’s information, the incident was caused by pilot error. Apparently the pilot, a junior officer, was very nervous and inadvertently engaged the automatic start programme and didn’t know how to stop it.
In 2010, Germany leased three Herons for a total cost of 110 million Euros.
Source: Bild Zeitung
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