Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/C-H2 Turbo Porter in Old San Soak

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1968
Operator:
Registration:
N193X
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
587
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Old San Soak Airstrip, the single engine airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. The accident occurred under mortar fire.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando in Savannakhét: 26 killed

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1968 at 1533 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N1386N
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Savannakhét - Vientiane
MSN:
22265
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff, while climbing, one of the engine failed. The crew elected to return and initiated a turn when the aircraft impacted trees, causing a wing to be torn off. Out of control, the aircraft crashed in a field. Two passengers were seriously injured while 26 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure after takeoff.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-8-FA Provider in Na Khang

Date & Time: May 23, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
655
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
20104
YOM:
1954
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Na Khang Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a 50 cm high earth bank located 10 meters short of runway threshold. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft belly landed. All four crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130A Hercules in Muang Nong: 9 killed

Date & Time: May 22, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-0477
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
3085
YOM:
1957
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a flare mission over south Laos when it crashed in a huge explosion in the jungle. All nine crew members were killed and the exact circumstances of the crash was not determined. It may be possible the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire but this was not proven.
Crew:
Lt Col William Henderson Mason,
Cpt Thomas Barry Mitchell,
Maj Jerry Lee Chambers,
Cpt William Thomas McPhail,
S/Sgt Calvin Charles Glover,
Sgt Gary Pate,
A1C John Quincy Adam,
A1C Thomas Edward Knebel,
A1C Melvin Douglas Rash.

Crash of a Lockheed OP-2E Neptune near Ban Karai Pass: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
131484
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nakhon Phanom - Nakhon Phanom
MSN:
426-5365
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Nakhon Phanom Airport on a supply mission consisting of sensors dropping. While flying at low height, the airplane was struck by enemy fire. Seven occupants bailed out before the aircraft crashed in flames in a dense wooded area. Both pilots were killed while seven other occupants were evacuated five hours later.
Those killed were:
Cdr Paul Lloyd Milius,
P02 John Francis Hartzheim.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 near Ban Napa: 37 killed

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XW-TAD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Luang Namtha – Sayaboury – Vientiane
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
34
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
37
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing a flight from Luang Namtha to Vientiane with an intermediate stop in Sayaboury. On the first leg, the airplane went out of control and crashed on the slope of a mountain located in the region of Ban Napa. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 37 occupants were killed, among them several tourists and two French citizens.
Probable cause:
It is believed the loss of control was the consequence of an engine failure.

Crash of a Lockheed OP-2E Neptune near Muang Phine: 9 killed

Date & Time: Feb 17, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
131486
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Nakhon Phanom - Nakhon Phanom
MSN:
426-5367
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The crew departed Nakhon Phanom Airport and was supposed to deliver sensors near Ban Namm, some 48 km west of the DMZ. While cruising at low height, the airplane was hit by small arms fire and the crew reported the explosion of the right engine. Shortly later, the airplane went out of control and crashed in the jungle. All nine occupants were killed.
Crew:
Cdr Glenn Miller Hayden,
Lt Curtis Frank Thurman,
Lt(jg) James Stephen Kravitz,
Ens James Charles Wonn,
ATN1 Paul Nicholas Donato,
A02 Clayborn Willis Ashby,
ADJ2 Chester Leroy Coons,
AN Frank Arthur Dawson,
AN James Edward Martin.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Lockheed OP-2E Neptune in Phou Louang: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1968 at 0957 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
131436
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
426-5317
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The airplane was engaged in an acoustic buoy drop mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The last radio contact was recorded at 0957LT then contact was lost. SAR operations were conducted but the wreckage was found 12 days later only on the north side of a cliff, about 150 feet below the 4,583-foot ridge line. All nine crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cdr Delbert Austin Olson,
Lt(jg) Philip Paul Stevens,
Lt (jg) Denis Leon Anderson,
Lt (jg) Arthur Charles Buck,
P02 Donald Nellis Thoresen,
P02 Kenneth Harry Widon,
P02 Michael Land Roberts,
P02 Richard Michael Mancini,
P03 Gale Robert Siow.

Crash of a Douglas A-26A Invader in Ban Phoukachgi: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1967
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
64-17641
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
28601
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While bombing a convoy in northeast Laos, the airplane was shot down by 37mm artillery and crashed. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Carlos Rafael Cruz,
Cpt William Joseph Potter,
A1C Paul Leonard Foster.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/A-H2 Turbo Porter in Sam Thong: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1967
Operator:
Registration:
XW-PCK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
591
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances while on a dropping mission. Both crew members were killed.