Crash of a Fairchild C-123J Provider in Cape Romanzof: 5 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
54-0647
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Elmendorf - Cape Romanzof
MSN:
20096
YOM:
1954
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a supply mission from Elmendorf AFB, carrying various equipments for scientists based at the Cape Romanzof Weather Station. On approach, the crew encountered whiteout conditions and the pilot-in-command was unable to locate the runway so he decided to make a go-around when the airplane struck a ridge located few miles northwest of the airfield and crashed. The airplane was destroyed and all five crew members were killed. The flight was performed by the Air National Guard.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-18-FA Provider near Tuy Hòa: 85 killed

Date & Time: Dec 11, 1965 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-4376
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Pleiku – Tuy Hòa
MSN:
20260
YOM:
1956
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
81
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
85
Circumstances:
While descending to Tuy Hòa Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with rain falls. While flying at low height, the airplane struck tree tops then stalled and crashed in a dense wooded area located about 30 km east of the Tuy Hòa Airfield. As the airplane crashed in an enemy zone, it was not possible to intervene immediately and the first rescuers reached the crash site two weeks later only. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 85 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the ceiling was down to 50 feet from the ground and the crew was apparently not aware of his too low altitude.
Crew:
Maj Robert Milvoy Horsky,
Cpt George Parker McKnight,
S/Sgt Mercedes Perez Salinas,
S/Sgt Donald David Stewart.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123K Provider in South Vietnam

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
54-0651
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
20100
YOM:
1954
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a supply mission, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed somewhere in South Vietnam. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were injured.
Crew:
Cpt J. T. Rutledge,
1st Lt T. O. Norris.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-13-FA Provider in Đà Nẵng

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
55-4530
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
20191
YOM:
1955
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Đà Nẵng Airport following a supply mission. On final approach in darkness, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions with heavy rain falls and high winds when one of the engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed in a minefield located 1,6 km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was destroyed and all seven crew members were injured, some of them badly.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach in poor weather conditions.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-13-FA Provider in Sayaboury

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
538
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
20199
YOM:
1955
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
56
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
At liftoff, the airplane stalled and landed hard. It went out of control and came to rest. Several passengers were injured while the aircraft was written off.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-19-FA Provider in Saigon

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-4381
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
20265
YOM:
1956
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Saigon-Tan Son Nhat Airport, the captain decided to abandon the departure and started an emergency braking procedure. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to rest. All four crew members were slightly injured and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-16-FA Provider in Long Tieng: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 3, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5003X
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
20234
YOM:
1955
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach to Long Tieng Airport, the pilot apparently spotted oil drums on the runway and decided to attempt a go around when control was lost. The airplane stalled and crashed short of runway. Two crew members were seriously injured while the third occupant was killed.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B Provider in Saigon: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
54-0641
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nha Trang – Saigon
MSN:
20090
YOM:
1954
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
On final approach to Saigon Airport, the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire and crashed few km short of runway. The aircraft was destroyed and all 16 occupants were killed. The C-123 was used on a MACV-SOG mission. The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observation Group (MACV-SOG) was a joint service high command unconventional warfare task force engaged in highly classified operations throughout Southeast Asia. The aircraft had no standard markings on it, but were painted with a unique camo pattern of low-reflectivity black, green and brown paint. The aircraft was rigged with pylons on it. All aircraft were sanitized as well as the nationality and individuality of those on board.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-18-FA Provider near Pleiku: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 11, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-4379
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Nha Trang - Pleiku
MSN:
20263
YOM:
1956
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a supply drop mission between Nha Trang and Pleiku. While cruising at low height in poor weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain and was destroyed. All seven crew members were killed.
Crew (310 ACS):
Maj Samuel Joseph Ganci,
Cpt Alvin James Dimond,
Cpt Terrence Richard Titus,
S/Sgt Paul Glen Dawson,
S/Sgt Merle Edward Estes,
S/Sgt Norman Columbus Williams,
A1C James Anthony Coy.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-12-FA Provider in Hớn Quản

Date & Time: May 12, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
55-4516
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
20177
YOM:
1955
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a supply mission, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in the jungle. The airplane was destroyed and all five crew members were injured.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of a crew error.