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

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1969
Operator:
Registration:
45-1133
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Pleiku - Huế
MSN:
17136/34403
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
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.

Crash of a Boeing RC-135S in Shemya

Date & Time: Jan 13, 1969 at 0030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
59-1491
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Shemya - Shemya
MSN:
17979/394
YOM:
1960
Location:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was returning to Shemya following a reconnaissance mission. After touchdown on an icy runway, the airplane encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest few dozen yards farther. While the aircraft was damaged beyond repair, all 18 occupants were evacuated safely.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Nairobi: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1968
Operator:
Registration:
5Y-ADI
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
13447
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Nairobi-Wilson Airport, the airplane stalled and crashed, killing all three occupants.
Probable cause:
It is reported that the total weight of the aircraft was exceeding the MTOW.

Crash of a Douglas DC-6A/B in Mar del Plata

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
TC-55
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Río Gallegos – Mar del Plata – Buenos Aires
MSN:
44114
YOM:
1954
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft was returning to Buenos Aires following a reconnaissance mission over Antarctica. The approach to Mar del Plata Airport was initiated in very bad weather conditions when the airplane crashed in flames in a field located some six km short of runway. All 24 occupants escaped while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-1-DK in Tafelberg: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1968
Operator:
Registration:
PH-DAA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
MSN:
11855
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 10,000 feet on a survey flight, one of the engine failed. The crew was able to feather its propeller but decided to reduce his altitude in an attempt to increase the performances of the remaining engine. While descending, the pilot-in-command encountered low clouds and limited visibility when the airplane struck trees, stalled and crashed in a dense wooded area. While both passengers were rescued, all three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-16R into the North Sea: 6 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Severomorsk - Severomorsk
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
The strategic bomber departed Severomorsk Airbase on a survey flight over west Europe. While cruising over the North Sea, the crew made two first passes over the USS Essex then a third pass was completed at a very low height. The the pilot-in-command decided to leave the area when control was lost. The airplane crashed into the sea in a huge explosion, killing all six crew members. Debris were found about 240 km west of the Norwegian coast.
Crew:
Cpt Andrey Pliyev +5.

Crash of a De Havilland U-6A Beaver near Bent: 3 killed

Date & Time: Apr 8, 1968 at 1430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Holloman - Holloman
Location:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew was searching for a test balloon when the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances in a mountainous area located six miles southeast of Bent. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed P-3A-35-LO Orion into the Pacific Ocean: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1968 at 0310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
151350
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kadena - Kadena
MSN:
185-5063
YOM:
1963
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Kadena AFB on a night patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean. While cruising at low height in a flat attitude some 320 km east of Okinawa, the aircraft struck the water surface, crashed and broke in three pieces that sank by a depth of 1,600 meters. Four crew members were found alive while eight others were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed the accident may have been caused by an accidental disconnection of the automatic pilot system.

Crash of a Lockheed P-3B-90-LO Orion off Đảo Phú Quốc Island: 12 killed

Date & Time: Apr 1, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
153445
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
U-Tapao - U-Tapao
MSN:
185-5241
YOM:
1967
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Circumstances:
While cruising over the Gulf of Thailand on a maritime patrol flight at the border between Thailand and South Vietnam, the airplane was hit by enemy fire and the right wing caught fire. The crew informed ground about his situation and elected to divert to the nearest airport when the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea off Đảo Phú Quốc Island. All 12 crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt(jg) Frank E. Hand,
Lt(jg) Stuart L. McLellan,
Lt(jg) Brian J. Mathison,
Lt(jg) Michael J. Purcell,
AME2 Donald W. Burnside,
ATI Kenneth L. Crist,
A02 William S. Cutting,
AXC Donald E. Kulacz,
AX3 Delmar L. Lawrence,
AE1 Donald F. Wood,
ADJ2 Edward O. Wynder,
AX1 Alvin G. Yoximer.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.