Crash of a Douglas C-47A-90-DL near Soto la Marina: 26 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1968
Operator:
Registration:
XA-SAE
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Reynosa - Tampico
MSN:
20554
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Circumstances:
While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located west of Soto la Marina. The wreckage was found few hours later in the El Diablo canyon. All 26 occupants have been killed.

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 AC-47D Spooky in Biên Hòa

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1968
Operator:
Registration:
43-49274
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
15090/26535
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Biên Hòa, at an altitude of 3,500 feet, the Spooky collided with a USAF North American OV-10A Bronco registered 67-14627. Following the collision, the Bronco dove into the ground and crashed, killing both pilots. The crew of the Spooky was able to continue the approach when on touchdown, the undercarriage collapsed. The airplane slid for few dozen yards before coming to rest. All three crew members were slightly injured.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Lloa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1968
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Quito – Salinas
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Quito-Mariscal Sucre Airport, both engines failed. The crew reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in an open field and came to rest, broken in two. The wreckage was found near Lloa, some 28 km southwest of Quito Airport. While all 10 passengers were injured, both pilots were killed.
Crew:
Cpt César Egas, pilot,
Lt Galo Molina Hidalgo, pilot.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure for unknown reason.

Crash of a Douglas EC-47Q in Klawock

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1968
Operator:
Registration:
42-24304
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
10166
YOM:
1943
Location:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was transferring the aircraft to Vietnam. While approaching Klawock Airstrip located in south Alaska, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances in a swampy area. There were no casualties but the aircraft was written off.

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 Douglas C-47 near Buôn Ma Thuột: 23 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1968 at 0600 LT
Operator:
Registration:
45-0934
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Saigon – Đà Nẵng – Hong Kong
MSN:
16937/34196
YOM:
1945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
23
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet on a flight from Saigon to Đà Nẵng, the right engine failed. The crew was unable to feather the propeller nor to maintain the assigned altitude so the captain decided to divert to Buôn Ma Thuột Airport. While descending, the airplane went out of control and crashed at an altitude of 700 meters on a plateau located 18 km from the airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 23 occupants were killed, among them two US civilians.
Crew:
Lt Col Howard Elmer Van Vliet,
Lt Col Robert Brooks Richardson,
Lt Col Council Lee Royal,
Maj Gerald Eugene Burgener,
Maj Basil Lincoln Ciriello,
Maj Gerald Dean Ziehe,
Cpt Gayland Omer Scott,
M/Sgt William Parker Bowman,
T/Sgt Donald William Bruck,
T/Sgt Billy Day Morris,
T/Sgt John Derral Thomas,
S/Sgt Eugene William Hendricks.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for undetermined reason.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Feijó: 19 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1968
Operator:
Registration:
PP-SAD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
13764
YOM:
1944
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Feijó Airport, while climbing, the pilot informed ground about an engine failure and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. While completing a last turn to join the approach path, control was lost and the airplane crashed in a field located few km from the airport. All 19 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for undetermined reason.