Country
Laos
code

Bolikhamxai Province

Crash of a De Havilland C-7A Caribou in Pha Khao: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1972
Type of aircraft:
De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou
Operator:
Registration:
393
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ban Xon - Pha Khao
MSN:
51
YOM:
1962
Location:
Pha Khao
Bolikhamxai Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
34
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach to Pha Khao Airstrip (LS-14), obstruction was sighted on the runway and the captain decided to make a go-around. For unknown reason, the left engine failed to respond and the aircraft stalled and struck the runway surface. It bounced heavily, went out of control and veered off runway. It lost its undercarriage and its right wing before coming to rest. All 34 passengers, Laotian military personnel, were evacuated while all a crew member was killed, three other being injured.
Crew:
Gordon V. Smith, pilot,
D. M. Houston, copilot,
M. S. Bailey, flight engineer,
Khamouth Sousadalay, kicker. †

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando near Pha Khao: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
B-136
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
22465
YOM:
1945
Location:
Pha Khao
Bolikhamxai Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
On behalf of the CIA, the crew was engaged in a supply dropping mission to the General Vang Pao's Hmong Army. While flying at low height, the pilot-in-command made a sharp turn when a wingtip struck the ground, causing the aircraft to crash. All six occupants were killed, among them three CIA employees, David W. Bevan, Darrell A. Eubanks, and John S. Lewis.
Probable cause:
Error of judgement on part of the pilot-in-command while completing a supply dropping mission at low height.

Crash of a Fairchild C-119C-14-FA Flying Boxcar in Ban Sot: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1954
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
49-0149
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Hải Phòng - Hải Phòng
MSN:
10386
YOM:
1949
Location:
Ban Sot
Bolikhamxai Province
Country:
Laos
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew, James B. McGovern Jr. and Wallace A. Buford, were engaged in a supply mission to the French Army Forced in Ðiện Biên Phủ, carrying a load of artillery pieced. Enroute, the aircraft was hit by enemy fire and one of the engine was lost. The crew decided to return to Hải Phòng-Catbi Airport but the aircraft lost height until it struck a ridge and crashed. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.
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