Sam Neua | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff from Sam Neua-Nathong Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft collided with trees, lots height and crashed in a small river located 200 metres past the runway end. All 18 occupants were injured, five seriously. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12 II in Sam Neua

Date & Time: Feb 14, 2002 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Harbin Yunsunji Y-12

Operator:

Registration:

RDPL-34118

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Sam Neua - Vientiane

MSN:

0043

YOM:

1991

Flight number:

QV702

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Just after liftoff, while climbing to a height of about two metres, the twin engine aircraft encountered downdraft. It struck the runway surface, went out of control and veered off runway. It then collided with a fence and came to rest on a road located 17 metres below. All 15 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the wind was blowing at 8 knots but apparently changed rapidly and became stronger shortly after rotation.

Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12 II in Sam Neua: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 2000 at 1212 LT

Type of aircraft:

Harbin Yunsunji Y-12

Operator:

Registration:

RDPL-34130

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Vientiane – Sam Neua

MSN:

0086

YOM:

1994

Flight number:

QV703

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While descending to Sam Neua Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility. Approaching in clouds, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 12 km from the airport. Eight passengers were killed while nine other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended too low in poor visibility. At the time of the accident, the aircraft deviated from the approach path from 4 to 6 km.

Crash of a PZL- Mielec AN-2P near Sam Neua: 12 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1975

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-70417

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Vientiane - Sam Neua

MSN:

1G141-71

YOM:

1973

Location:

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Circumstances:

En route from Vientiane to Sam Neua, the crew encountered poor weather conditions when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Sam Neua. The aircraft was destroyed and all 12 occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the crew was flying under VFR mode into adverse weather conditions and failed to return when conditions worsened.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B1-H2 Turbo Porter near Sam Neua

Date & Time: May 7, 1973

Type of aircraft:

Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)

Operator:

Registration:

XW-PFR

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

668

YOM:

1968

Location:

Country:

Region:

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Pax fatalities:

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Circumstances:

While flying at low height on a charter flight, the single engine airplane was hit by ground fire. The pilot elected to make an emergency landing when the airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed and it appears that all seven occupants were captured.

Probable cause:

Shot down by ground fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL in Sam Neua: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 17, 1966

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Registration:

N8744R

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

20156

YOM:

1944

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

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Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the region of Sam Neua while performing a cargo flight. Both crew members were killed.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Sam Neua

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1961

Type of aircraft:

Lisunov LI-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-51190

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The landing at Sam Neua-Nathong Airport (the runway is 1,000 meters long and located at an altitude of 1,100 meters) was completed with a tailwind component. After touchdown, the pilot realized he would not be able to stop within the remaining distance so he decided to veer off runway to avoid to crash in a ravine located past the runway end. Doing so, the airplane came to rest in a terrace rice field and was damaged beyond repair. There were no injuries among the occupants.