Military plane hit by pyrotechnics near German airbase

There has been a scandal in Germany over the firing of pyrotechnics at a military aircraft. Although the crew was not in danger, the offenders face severe punishment.

The incident occurred in Lower Saxony. According to SPIEGEL, on the afternoon of September 26, a C-130 transport aircraft was taking off from Celle airbase when pyrotechnic charges were thrown at it by unknown individuals. Fortunately, the plane was not damaged, and the pilots immediately notified controllers of the dangerous situation.

The military police and other law enforcement agencies promptly launched an investigation. Representatives of the brigade reported that such cases are rare, although there are sometimes incidents involving the use of laser devices to blind the crew. In this case, we are discussing the launch of a firework rocket, accompanied by a flash and explosion, which could have been a targeted act since the incident occurred during the day.

Following the incident, searches were carried out around the air base with the participation of dog handlers, but no trace of the perpetrators could be found. The police classified the incident as a dangerous interference with air traffic. The missile flew about 500 meters from the plane, which underlines the seriousness of the situation due to the “sensitive circumstances”.

Flights are currently continuing as usual, and there is no threat to air traffic. However, those responsible for this episode face punishment in the form of hefty fines or even imprisonment.

The German Air Force currently operates six C-130 aircraft, which, together with the A400M, ensure the military’s mobility. In recent months, these aircraft have also been used for humanitarian missions, including the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip.