U.S. Transport Plane Crashes In Afghanistan Killing 12

Washington Post: 6 U.S. troops among 11 killed in Afghanistan plane crash

At least 11 people, including six U.S. service members, died overnight when a cargo plane crashed while taking off from an airfield in eastern Afghanistan, the U.S. military said Thursday.

The Air Force C-130J, a large turboprop plane used for cargo and transport flights, crashed as it left the airfield in Jalalabad early Friday local time, shortly after midnight, the U.S. Air Forces Central Command said in a statement.

Five civilian contractors working with the U.S. and allied military mission in Afghanistan were among the dead, the statement said. According to media reports, the crash killed two Afghans on the ground, but military officials could not immediately confirm those reports.

More News On Yesterday's U.S. Transport Plane Crash In Afghanistan

U.S. military plane crashes in Afghanistan, kills 11 -- Reuters
​6 U.S. service members among 11 dead in Afghan plane crash -- AP
U.S. Military Plane Crashed in Afghanistan, More than 12 Killed -- NYT
12 Dead After U.S. C-130 Transport Plane Crashes in Afghanistan: Officials -- NBC news
U.S. cargo plane crashes in Afghanistan, killing 11, officials say -- USA Today
Taliban says shot down crashed US C-130 plane in Afghanistan -- AFP