Broken Hydraulic Line Spills Fuel On Soldiers

A broken hydraulic line spilled fuel on passengers in a military transport plane on Sunday, and seven soldiers were taken to the hospital after the aircraft landed.

Five of the soldiers were released Sunday night, and the conditions of the other two were not immediately known.

The aviation-grade hydraulic fuel can cause pneumonia if inhaled or burns if it remains too long on human skin, said airport public safety Sgt. Jeff Augram.

The Air National Guard C-130 carrying 45 soldiers landed as scheduled at the Asheville Regional Airport about 6:12 p.m., said airport public safety Sgt. Jeff Augram.

The hydraulic line controlled some of the flaps used in slowing down the plane, he said.

“An experienced flight crew helped them land,” Augram said. “They used the full length of the landing strip.” Rescue crews were at the scene.

The Air National Guard was investigating what caused the leak.

The C-130 was transporting a unit of military police officers from Panama to Asheville after a stop in Pope Air Force Base, N.C.