Country
Cambodia
code

Pursat

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-10-CU Commando near Bannak: 11 killed

Date & Time: Dec 25, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Lane Xang Airlines
Registration:
XW-PKJ
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Battambang - Phnom Penh
MSN:
26493
YOM:
1943
Location:
Bannak
Pursat
Country:
Cambodia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Circumstances:
En route from Battambang to Phnom Penh, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in an isolated area. SAR operations were abandoned after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor the 11 occupants was found. The wreckage was eventually located by walkers few years later in the region of Bannak.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 in Krakor

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-3
Operator:
Khmer Airlines
Registration:
XW-PKX
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Krakor
Pursat
Country:
Cambodia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
A flapless takeoff was attempted from a wet gravel runway. The DC-3 had traveled 300 m down the runway when it swerved 30° to the left at a speed of 60 knots. The aircraft became airborne and struck the airport fence with the left wing. Some buffaloes, frightened by the noise, ran into the left propeller. Four buffaloes were killed and the no. 1 prop separated. The left gear then bogged down into soft ground, 75 m from the airstrip.
Source: ASN
Probable cause:
- Deteriorated condition of the laterite strip caused by intensive use, and the presence at various points of expanses of rain water.
- An error in judgment by the pilot-in-command who, wishing to comply with flight schedules, attempted to take-off immediately after a heavy shower and under unfavorable weather conditions. He should have abandoned the take-off and waited until all the conditions had become satisfactory to ensure a safe take-off.
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