Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12-II near Phônsavan: 18 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1993 at 0920 LT
Type of aircraft:
Harbin Yunsunji Y-12
Operator:
Registration:
RDPL-34117
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Vientiane – Phônsavan
MSN:
0042
YOM:
1991
Location:
Phônsavan
Xieng Khouang Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
18
Circumstances:
While descending to Phônsavan Airport, the crew encountered below minima weather conditions due to fog. On approach, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a hilly and wooded terrain located 28 km from the airport, bursting into flames. All 18 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew decided to continue the approach below the minimum safe altitude in below minima weather conditions.

Crash of a Douglas SC-47D in Phônsavan: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
44-76330
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Vientiane – Saigon
MSN:
15914/32662
YOM:
1945
Location:
Phônsavan
Xieng Khouang Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
While approaching Phônsavan, the twin engine aircraft was hit by Pathet Lao AAA or small arms fire, lost a wing and crashed 6 km northwest of Phônsavan. Seven crew members were killed and one was taken PoW.
Crew (315th AD):
1st Lt Ralph Wayne Magee, †
1st Lt Oscar Branch Weston, †
2nd Lt Glenn Matteson, †
S/Sgt Algonso Aloyze Bankowski, †
S/Sgt Frederick Thomas Garside, †
S/Sgt Leslie Verne Sampson, †
Maj Lawrence Robert Bailey,
W01 Edgar Wilken Weitkamp. †
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy action.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando near Phônsavan: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 26, 1960
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
B-130
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
22379
YOM:
1945
Location:
Phônsavan
Xieng Khouang Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew encountered elevator control problems and elected to make an emergency landing in the Plain of Jars when the airplane went out of control and crashed near Phônsavan. Two crew members were killed while the third occupant was injured.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-35-DL in Phônsavan

Date & Time: Mar 14, 1955
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
F-BFGN
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
9785
YOM:
1943
Location:
Phônsavan
Xieng Khouang Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed shortly after takeoff for unknown reason. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Lockheed C-60A-5-LO LodeStar in Phônsavan: 16 killed

Date & Time: Apr 13, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed 18 LodeStar
Operator:
Société Indochinoise de Liaisons Aériennes - SILA
Registration:
F-OALK
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
2603
YOM:
1943
Location:
Phônsavan
Xieng Khouang Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the twin engine aircraft stalled and crashed in a huge explosion. Seven passengers were seriously injured while 16 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Phônsavan

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
F-BCYI
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
4502
YOM:
1942
Location:
Phônsavan
Xieng Khouang Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Phônsavan Airport, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by enemy fire and crashed few km from the airfield. All three crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.
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