Crash of a Lockheed C-130B Hercules in Katum: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jun 23, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
61-0965
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Saigon - Katum
MSN:
3652
YOM:
1961
Location:
Katum
Tây Ninh Province
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
On final approach top Katum Special Forces Camp, at an altitude of 3,000 feet, the airplane was hit in the port wing by a quad .50 calibre radar-directed anti-aircraft gun causing a fire an engine failure. The aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed few km short of runway. All six crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Gary Edward Brunner,
Maj William Howard Condit,
1st Lt Terry Michael Reed,
Lt Col Jean Arthur Kearby,
S/Sgt Billy Wallace McDonald,
S/Sgt George Charles Peters.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130A Hercules in Katum

Date & Time: May 27, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Operator:
Registration:
56-0472
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
3080
YOM:
1957
Location:
Katum
Tây Ninh Province
Country:
Vietnam
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight to Katum, carrying a load of construction equipment. On final approach, the airplane was hit by enemy fire. After touchdown, when the propellers went into reverse pitch, the fuel was sucked up into the engines and ignited. The aircraft veered off runway to the right and came to rest in flames. All five crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.
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