Region
Asia

Crash of a Scottish Twin Pioneer into the Mekong River

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1964
Type of aircraft:
Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer
Operator:
Bird & Sons
Registration:
XW-PBN
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
565
YOM:
1959
Location:
Laos
All Laos
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Both engines failed in flight and the airplane crashed into the Mekong River, in Laos. The pilot was rescued but was seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines due to a fuel starvation.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Ban Phonemuang: 2 killed

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
B-150
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
22526
YOM:
1945
Location:
Ban Phonemuang
Vientiane Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew was involved in a supply mission and the aircraft was carrying rise bags. While cruising at low height, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in a prairie. Both pilots were killed while five other occupants were taken PoW.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46 Commando in Laos: 15 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Location:
Laos
All Laos
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Laos while conducting a supply mission. A passenger survived while 15 other occupants were killed. It is believed the aircraft model needs to be confirmed.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Pak Tha: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
B-148
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
22510
YOM:
1945
Location:
Pak Tha
Bokèo Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
While cruising in bad weather conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Pak Tha. All six occupants were killed. It was reported the crew was flying under VFR in IMC conditions at the time of the accident and his altitude was very low, apparently to maintain a visual contact with the ground.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/340-H2 Porter in Vientiane

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Pilatus PC-6 (Porter & Turbo Porter)
Operator:
Bird & Sons
Registration:
N4227G
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
532
YOM:
1962
Location:
Vientiane
Vientiane (Viengchan) Capital
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed and burned near Vientiane. The pilot, sole on board, was seriously injured and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Lockheed PV-2T Harpoon in Ban Huoeisay

Date & Time: Jan 5, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed P-2 Harpoon
Operator:
Bird & Sons
Registration:
N7455C
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
15-1597
YOM:
1945
Location:
Ban Huoeisay (Houei Sai)
Bokèo Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on a cargo (supply) mission, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire. All four occupants (two passengers and two crew members) bailed out and abandoned the aircraft that crashed east of Ban Huoeisay. All four occupants were rescued while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Fairchild C-123B-16-FA Provider in Xieng Khouang: 3 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-123 Provider
Operator:
Registration:
N5004X
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Vientiane – Xieng Khouang
MSN:
20233
YOM:
1955
Location:
Xieng Khouang
Xieng Khouang Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
On final approach to Xieng Khouang Airport, while on a cargo flight from Vientiane, the airplane was hit by ground fire. Projectiles hit the cockpit, the right engine and the right wing. Out of control, the airplane crashed 5,6 km from the runway threshold, killing all three crew members.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Laos: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Humanitarian
Survivors:
No
Location:
Laos
All Laos
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Laos while performing a humanitarian mission on behalf of the United Nations Organization (UNO). Both passengers and all three crew members were killed.

Crash of De Havilland U-6A Beaver in Xieng Dat: 4 killed

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1962
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver
Operator:
Registration:
L-207
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
661
YOM:
1954
Location:
Xieng Dat
Xieng Khouang Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
Crashed in a takeoff accident resulting from an insufficient runway. The aircraft was too heavy, hit a tree stump at the right side of the runway on take-off roll, cartwheeled, burst into flames and killed all on board, two pilots and two MAAG soldiers.
Crew:
William H. Beale Jr., pilot,
George A. Varney, pilot.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU Commando near Xieng Khouang: 6 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
B-916
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
22362
YOM:
1945
Location:
Xieng Khouang
Xieng Khouang Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a supply drop mission in the region of Xieng Khouang when it was shut down by the pilot of a North Vietnam Air Force fighter and crashed. All six occupants were killed, three crew members and three dispatchers.
Crew:
Herbert S. Strouss, pilot,
Howard F. Heinrich, copilot,
Hsu-Chiu Lee, copilot.
Probable cause:
Shut down by enemy fire.
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