Pha Khao | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

On final approach to Pha Khao Airstrip (LS-14), obstruction was sighted on the runway and the captain decided to make a go-around. For unknown reason, the left engine failed to respond and the aircraft stalled and struck the runway surface. It bounced heavily, went out of control and veered off runway. It lost its undercarriage and its right wing before coming to rest. All 34 passengers, Laotian military personnel, were evacuated while all a crew member was killed, three other being injured.
Crew:
Gordon V. Smith, pilot,
D. M. Houston, copilot,
M. S. Bailey, flight engineer,
Khamouth Sousadalay, kicker. †

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando near Pha Khao: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1961

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

B-136

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Supply

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

MSN:

22465

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On behalf of the CIA, the crew was engaged in a supply dropping mission to the General Vang Pao's Hmong Army. While flying at low height, the pilot-in-command made a sharp turn when a wingtip struck the ground, causing the aircraft to crash. All six occupants were killed, among them three CIA employees, David W. Bevan, Darrell A. Eubanks, and John S. Lewis.

Probable cause:

Error of judgement on part of the pilot-in-command while completing a supply dropping mission at low height.