And, it could get messy.

A “talking head” just said that it looked as if the plane was heavy and hit an up-draft which tore the wings off. And, indeed, that’s what it looked like.

Then there was a following interview which was interesting. A fellow said that when the Army (Air Force) gave the planes to the Forest Service it was an illegal transfer. There were people, including the interviewee, who protested. The transfer went through anyway, at the insistence of the Forest Service.

He added the Forest Service employee who insisted upon the transfer is now in prison. Didn’t say why.

Further, he said that everyone was warned that if not maintained to military standards the plane was unsafe, and that the Forest Service didn’t have the expertise. If not very well maintained, the wings could come off.

He said that these planes flew long and hard on CIA missions, and was outspokenly critical that the Forest Service using them for fire suppression was criminal.