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Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Laos

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1975
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XW-PMF
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hong Kong – Vientiane
MSN:
22561
YOM:
1945
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Laos while completing a cargo flight from Hong Kong to Vientiane. Both crew members were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The exact circumstances of the mishap remains unclear.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Laos: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XW-PBW
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Vientiane - Vientiane
MSN:
33451
YOM:
1945
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Vientiane-Wattay Airport with two pilots, three cargo kickers and various foodstuffs that should be dropped over an unknown drop zone somewhere in Laos. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances about 120 km northwest of Vientiane. The wreckage was not found and all five occupants are believed dead.

Crash of a Boeing B-52D-35-BW Stratofortress in Laos: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-0669
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
464040
YOM:
1956
Flight number:
Straw 2
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Andersen AFB on Guam Island under call sign Straw 2 with six crew members on board, taking part to the Linebacker II mission over Vietnam. While flying over Hanoi, the airplane was hit by enemy fire (SA-2 surface to air missile). The pilot was able to leave the target area and elected to fly to Thailand but while over Laos, all six crew members bailed out and abandoned the aircraft that dove into the ground and crashed in an isolated area. Five crew members survived while the sixth occupant, Maj Frank Gould, radio navigator, was killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-DO Skymaster in Laos: 23 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1972 at 1320 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
XW-TDE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Saigon - Savannakhét - Vientiane
MSN:
3098
YOM:
1943
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 10,000 feet over Laos, the crew contacted ATC and give his ETA in Vientiane at 1422LT. Shortly later, the aircraft disappeared from radar screens without the pilots having been able to transmit all or part of an emergency message and crashed in an isolated area somewhere in Laos. The wreckage was not found and all 23 occupants are presumed dead.
Probable cause:
It is believed the aircraft may have been shot down.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/B1-H2 Turbo Porter in Laos

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1971
Operator:
Registration:
XW-PDJ
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
626
YOM:
1966
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While observing a roadwatch team insertion along the 'Ho Chi Minh Trail', the airplane suffered an engine failure. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a prairie. The aircraft was wrecked and all occupants were rescued and evacuated by the crew of a USAF CH-53. The accident occurred in April 1971 (exact date remains unknown).
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reason.

Crash of a Pilatus PC-6/A-H1 Turbo Porter in Laos

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1967
Operator:
Registration:
XW-PCC
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
568
YOM:
1964
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-85-DL in Laos

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1966
Operator:
Registration:
L2-18/00
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Chiang Mai - Udorn
MSN:
20053
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was reported missing whilst en route from Chiang Mai to Udorn. It became lost and is reported to have crashed in northeastern Laos. Flight mechanic Prapan Siri-on was released from a Vietnamese PoW camp in March 1973 and claimed the C-47 had been shot down near Quang Biu. The fate of the remaining crew is unclear.
Source: ASN

Crash of a Scottish Twin Pioneer into the Mekong River

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1964
Operator:
Registration:
XW-PBN
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
565
YOM:
1959
Location:
Country:
Region:
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-46 Commando in Laos: 15 killed

Date & Time: Sep 2, 1963
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Location:
Country:
Region:
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 Douglas C-47-DL in Laos: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 31, 1962
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Location:
Country:
Region:
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.