Crash of a Lockheed C-130B Hercules at Tonle Cham AFB

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
61-2644
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
3682
YOM:
1962
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Tonle Cham AFB, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid for few dozen yards then veered off runway and came to rest. All five crew members were uninjured.
Probable cause:
The nose gear collapsed upon landing.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules near Akhisar: 10 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
17949
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
MSN:
4100
YOM:
1965
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a liaison flight to Izmir-Cumaovasi Airport when it struck the slope of a mountain located in the region of Akhisar. All 10 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules in Bảo Lộc: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
62-1785
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
3730
YOM:
1962
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on airlift flight from Tuy Hoa when it was damaged by fire about a mile south of Tan Phat airfield near the city of Bảo Lộc, 85 miles southwest of Cam Ranh Bay. The pilot tried to land the aircraft but it crashed before he could set it down. However, one source claims that the aircraft was not lost in enemy action but crashed into a hill in bad weather.
Crew:
Cpt David Horace Risher,
Cpt Leonard Selaniko,
Maj Eugene Winfield Hartman,
T/Sgt Ralph James Lund,
Sgt Jesus Ochoa.
Source: Chris Hobson.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules in Tây Ninh

Date & Time: Jun 25, 1968 at 1415 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
62-1861
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Katum - Tuy Hòa
MSN:
3825
YOM:
1963
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Katum Airfield, the airplane was hit by enemy fire. The pilot decided to divert to Tây Ninh Airfield for an emergency landing when the engine number one caught fire. It was shot down and its propeller was feathered. Upon landing, the left wing was on fire and the left main gear still retracted. The airplane came to rest and was later destroyed by fire while all five crew members escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
Shut down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130A Hercules in Muang Nong: 9 killed

Date & Time: May 22, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-0477
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
3085
YOM:
1957
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a flare mission over south Laos when it crashed in a huge explosion in the jungle. All nine crew members were killed and the exact circumstances of the crash was not determined. It may be possible the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire but this was not proven.
Crew:
Lt Col William Henderson Mason,
Cpt Thomas Barry Mitchell,
Maj Jerry Lee Chambers,
Cpt William Thomas McPhail,
S/Sgt Calvin Charles Glover,
Sgt Gary Pate,
A1C John Quincy Adam,
A1C Thomas Edward Knebel,
A1C Melvin Douglas Rash.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382B-5C Hercules in Macuma

Date & Time: May 16, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N9267R
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
4146
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew landed on a muddy airfield and the undercarriage sank in about 50 cm into soft ground before the aircraft came to rest. Timbers were placed under the wheels as a ramp. Engine power was used to move the aircraft when the engine n°1 prop struck the ground and disintegrated. Debris struck the engine n°2 and a fire erupted. The aircraft caught fire and was quickly destroyed while all six crew members were uninjured.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130E Hercules in Sông Bé

Date & Time: May 15, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
63-7875
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
3945
YOM:
1964
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Sông Bé Airfield, one of the engine failed for unknown reason. The airplane stalled and crashed in flames short of runway. All seven crew members escaped while the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130A Hercules in Khâm Đức: 155 killed

Date & Time: May 12, 1968 at 0720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
60-0297
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Khâm Đức - Saigon
MSN:
3600
YOM:
1961
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
150
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
155
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Khâm Đức Airfield, while in initial climb, the aircraft was shot down by North-Vietnamese soldiers who were conducting an assault of the airbase. The aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion some 4 km east of the airfield. All 155 occupants, South-Vietnamese soldiers with their wife and children, were killed. Up to date, this was the worst crash by the USAF and the worst in Vietnam.
Crew:
Maj Bernard Ludwig Bucher,
1st Lt Stephan Craig Moreland,
S/Sgt Frank Monroe Hepler,
A1C George Wendell Long,
Maj John Lee McElroy,
Cpt Warren Robert Orr (was among the passenger).
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130A Hercules in Khâm Đức

Date & Time: May 12, 1968 at 0720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
56-0548
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
3156
YOM:
1958
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Khâm Đức Airfield, the aircraft was hit by small artillery and hydraulic systems failed. After touch down, the aircraft was uncontrollable and veered off runway before hitting a parked helicopter. All five crewmen were unhurt but the aircraft was later intentionally destroyed. Crew, from the 21st squadron, was flying to Khâm Đức to evacuate troops on an emergency evacuation process of the camp.
Crew:
Captain Delmore, pilot,
Joe Donahue, copilot.
Thanks to Bill Schneider from the Khâm Đức Group, who added the following comment: the aircraft was guided off the runway on purpose by superior flying skills. It did not catch on fire at that time but was destroyed for good by USAF fighters that destroyed all remaining assets on the ground, including the SF Camp, engineer equipment and anything that could be of any value to the North Vietnam Army. Delmore's crew was picked up just a few minutes later by a USMC CH-46 helicopter.
Probable cause:
Hydraulic failure on approach caused by artillery bullets.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382B-4C Hercules near Chaklala AFB: 22 killed

Date & Time: Apr 30, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
64145
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
4145
YOM:
1966
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Circumstances:
While cruising in clouds, the airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion near the Chaklala Airbase. All 22 occupants were killed, most of them civilians.
Probable cause:
It is believed the loss of control was caused by severe turbulences encountered while cruising in poor weather conditions.