Crash of a Douglas EC-47Q near Salavan: 8 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1973
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
43-48636
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Ubon Ratchathani - Ubon Ratchathani
MSN:
14452/25897
YOM:
1944
Flight number:
Baron 52
Location:
Salavan
Saravane Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Ubon Ratchathani AFB on a survey flight over the Ho Chi minh Trail to locate tanks. While flying at low height by night, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in an isolated area located 56 km southeast of Salavan. The wreckage was found two days later and all eight occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cpt George Ross Spitz,
1st Lt Robert Edward Bernhardt,
Cpt Arthur Ray Bollinger,
2nd Lt Severo James Primm,
S/Sgt Todd Michael Melton,
Sgt Dale Brandenburg,
Sgt Peter Richard Cressman,
Sgt Joseph Andrew Matejov.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a De Havilland C-7A Caribou in Salavan: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1972
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou
Operator:
Registration:
401
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Pakse - Pakse
MSN:
63
YOM:
1962
Location:
Salavan
Saravane Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While on a supply mission from Pakse and flying at low height, the airplane was struck by ground fire and crashed in flames in the region of Salavan. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by ground fire.

Crash of a Lockheed AC-130E Hercules near Salavan

Date & Time: Mar 30, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
69-6571
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
4345
YOM:
1969
Location:
Salavan
Saravane Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
15
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Engaged in a military mission on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos, the aircraft was hit by ground fire while flying at an altitude of 7,500 feet. The captain elected to return to his base when the right wing caught fire. All 15 occupants bailed out and abandoned the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by ground fire.

Crash of a Douglas EC-47Q near Saravane: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Registration:
45-1133
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Pleiku - Huế
MSN:
17136/34403
YOM:
1945
Location:
Salavan
Salavan Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The crew was on a radio direction finding mission from Pleiku to Huế when the airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed about 40 km southeast of Saravane. The wreckage was found in October 1969 and all 10 crew members have been killed.
Crew:
Maj Homer Morgan Lynn,
Cpt Walter Francis Burke,
Maj Harry Tilman Niggle,
Maj Robert Eugene Olson,
M/Sgt Wilton Neil Hatton,
S/Sgt James Vernon Dorsey,
S/Sgt Rodney Herschel Gott,
S/Sgt Hugh Leslie Sherburn,
T/Sgt Louis John Clever,
Sgt Clarence Leon McNeill.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.
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