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Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation in Saigon: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1967 at 2118 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation
Operator:
Registration:
N6936C
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Manila – Saigon
MSN:
4849
YOM:
1959
Location:
Saigon
Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh City District
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On final approach to Saigon-Tan Son Nhat Airport, following an uneventful cargo flight from Manila, the four engine aircraft collided with a US Air Force McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom registered 65-0861. Its crew (two pilots) was returning to Saigon following a supply mission. After the collision, both aircraft went out of control and crashed about 6 km from the runway threshold. While both pilots of the Phantom were able to eject safely, all seven occupants on board the Constellation were killed.
Probable cause:
Failure of both crew to pay sufficient attention to potential traffic while on approach to Saigon Airport. Dark may have been a contributing factor.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF in Saigon

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1966 at 1719 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-7
Operator:
Registration:
N4059K
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saigon – Manila
MSN:
44926/695
YOM:
1956
Location:
Saigon
Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh City District
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Saigon-Tan Son Nhat Airport, the right main gear and the nose gear collapsed for unknown reason. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. While all four crew members were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Undercarriage collapsed or 'retraction' during takeoff for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-7CF at Tachikawa AFB

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1966 at 2201 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas DC-7
Operator:
Registration:
N2282
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tachikawa - Wake Island
MSN:
45128/779
YOM:
1957
Flight number:
RD184
Location:
Tachikawa AFB (Tokyo)
Kantō
Country:
Japan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
15906
Captain / Total hours on type:
1782.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6282
Copilot / Total hours on type:
760
Aircraft flight hours:
16054
Circumstances:
The DC-7 was loaded with 27,484lb of cargo and was cleared to taxy to runway 01 at 21:45. After receiving IFR clearance for Wake Island, the crew reported ready for takeoff and requested the use of the paved runway overrun area. The request was approved. The aircraft failed to rotate at 121 knots (V2) and even accelerated through 128 knots without being able to rotate. The engines were stopped and maximum braking was applied, but the aircraft overran and ran through a fence. The landing gear failed and the aircraft slid to a stop 1700 feet from the runway end. All four crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Improper cargo loading which resulted in the inability of the aircraft to be rotated for take-off under existing conditions. It appeared that the aircraft had been loaded incorrectly causing takeoff centre of gravity to be well forward of the allowable limit.
Final Report:
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