Crash of a Fairchild UC-123B Provider near Lai Khê

Date & Time: Oct 31, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Registration:
54-0597
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
20046
YOM:
1954
Location:
Lai Khê
Hải Dương Province
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a defoliant mission when, cruising at low height, the aircraft was struck by enemy fire. The crew was able to completed an emergency landing 13 km west of Lai Khê. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all three crew members were rescued 25 minutes later by the crew of a helicopter.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123 off Cape Lisburne: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Elmendorf – Nome – Cape Lisburne
Location:
Cape Lisburne
Alaska
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a supply mission from Elmendorf AFB to Cape Lisburne with an intermediate stop in Nome, carrying supply for the local weather station. On approach, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and winds gusting up to 28 knots. Control was lost and the airplane crashed into the Chukchi Sea, about 150 feet offshore. All nine occupants were killed, among them two civilians.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-7-FA Provider in Quy Nhơn

Date & Time: Jun 30, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Registration:
54-0644
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
20093
YOM:
1954
Location:
Quy Nhơn
Bình Định Province
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances near Quy Nhơn Airport. All four crew members survived while the aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of a Fairchild UC-123B Provider in Tam Kỳ

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Registration:
56-4378
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Chu Lai – Đà Nẵng
MSN:
20262
YOM:
1956
Location:
Tam Kỳ
Quảng Nam Province
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While cruising at low height, the airplane was struck by enemy fire. The pilot was able to complete an emergency landing in a rice paddy field and all three crew members evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-13-FA Provider near An Khe: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Registration:
55-4534
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Nha Trang - Nha Trang
MSN:
20195
YOM:
1955
Location:
An Khe
Đà Nẵng City District
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew departed Nha Trang Airport for a night time mission to drop flares over friendly positions. While flying at an altitude of 6,500 feet, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire. The crew attempted to divert to the nearest suitable terrain when control was lost. The airplane crashed in flames, killing all five occupants.
Crew:
Cpt Stanley Gilbert Cox,
1st Lt Albert Richard Wilson,
M/Sgt Raymond Charles Jajtner,
A1C William John Moore,
A1C Jerry Mack Wall.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-13-FA Provider near Khe Sanh: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Registration:
55-4537
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
20198
YOM:
1955
Location:
Khe Sanh
Quảng Trị Province
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances in an jungle located about 16 km from Khe Sanh, near the Laos border, while on a supply mission. An extensive SAR mission was conducted for several days but no trace of the aircraft nor the four crew members was ever found.
Crew:
Maj James Louis Carter,
Cpt Wilbur Ronald Brown,
A1C Edward Milton Parsley,
A1C Therman Morris Waller.
Probable cause:
It is believed the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123K Provider in An Khe: 46 killed

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1966 at 1015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Registration:
54-0702
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
An Khe – Bong Son
MSN:
20151
YOM:
1954
Location:
An Khe
Đà Nẵng City District
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
42
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
46
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed An Khe on a mission to Bong Son, carrying a crew of four and 42 troops of the 1st Air Cavalry Division who were being taken to Bong Son to take part in Operation Masher, the first division-size search and destroy mission of the war. After takeoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height and 10 minutes later, while in clouds, the right wing struck trees. On impact, the right engine and six meters of the right wing were torn off. Out of control the airplane crashed in a wooded area located 10 km from An Khe, killing all 46 occupants.
Crew:
Cpt Harry Richard Crumley,
Cpt Edward Clarence Handly,
S/Sgt Leonard Williams,
S/Sgt Richard Duane Youtsey.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the right engine failed during initial climb, probably after a concentration of magnesium ignited, causing huge damages to the nacelle and the carburetor. It was reported that the crew encountered technical issues with the right engine that failed twice prior to departure. Contributing factors were poor maintenance and poor weather conditions with low clouds down to 300 feet with a limited visibility. The crew was forced to initiate the flight under VFR mode which was not appropriate in such weather conditions.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-12-FA Provider near An Khe: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Registration:
55-4519
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
20180
YOM:
1955
Location:
An Khe
Đà Nẵng City District
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
On a night supply mission, while cruising at an altitude of 1,200 feet, the airplane collided with a USAF Douglas A-1E Skyraider registered 52-133989 carrying one pilot who was pulling up into the path of the Provider following a VC position attack. Both aircraft went out of control and crashed near An Khe. All seven crew members in both aircraft were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Warren Lester Anderson,
Cpt Herman Hiram Ritchie,
T/Sgt Thomas Anthony Fodaro,
T/Sgt Irwin Lewis Hoffman,
S/Sgt Byron Hugh Crotwell,
S/Sgt Edward Joseph Hincewicz.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the collision could not be determined with certainty. However, it was reported that the Provider was not equipped with suitable instruments for a night mission (insufficient avionics). A poor ground radar coverage was also considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-9-FA Provider in Saigon

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1966
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Registration:
54-0676
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
20125
YOM:
1954
Location:
Saigon
Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh City District
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the crew contacted ground and obtained the permission to divert to Saigon-Tan Son Nhat for an emergency landing after an in-flight. After landing, the airplane came to rest in flames and was destroyed while both pilots escaped uninjured. The cause of the fire was probably a sabotage but this was not proven.
Probable cause:
In-flight fire in the cargo compartment for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-18-FA Provider at Tánh Linh AFB

Date & Time: Jan 4, 1966 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Registration:
56-4369
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
20253
YOM:
1956
Location:
Tánh Linh AFB
Bình Thuận Province
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a flare-dropping mission, the crew was returning to Tánh Linh Airbase when an engine failed on landing. The airplane went out of control and crashed. All five crew members were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on landing.
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