Lao Aviation | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Just after liftoff, while climbing to a height of about two metres, the twin engine aircraft encountered downdraft. It struck the runway surface, went out of control and veered off runway. It then collided with a fence and came to rest on a road located 17 metres below. All 15 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. At the time of the accident, the wind was blowing at 8 knots but apparently changed rapidly and became stronger shortly after rotation.

RDPL-34127

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RDPL-34118

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Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12 II in Sam Neua: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 2000 at 1212 LT

Type of aircraft:

Harbin Yunsunji Y-12

Operator:

Registration:

RDPL-34130

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Vientiane – Sam Neua

MSN:

0086

YOM:

1994

Flight number:

QV703

Location:

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Circumstances:

While descending to Sam Neua Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility. Approaching in clouds, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 12 km from the airport. Eight passengers were killed while nine other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew descended too low in poor visibility. At the time of the accident, the aircraft deviated from the approach path from 4 to 6 km.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 near Long Tieng: 26 killed

Date & Time: May 25, 1998 at 1020 LT

Type of aircraft:

Yakovlev Yak-40

Operator:

Registration:

RDPL-34001

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Vientiane – Xieng Khouang – Hanoi

MSN:

9 43 18 35

YOM:

1974

Location:

Country:

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Circumstances:

The aircraft was chartered by the Lao Air Force to carry a delegation from the Vietnam Air Force who took part to a military conference in Vientiane. On board were high ranking officers from the Vietnam Army Forces, among them General Đào Trọng Lịch. On the leg from Vientiane to Xieng Khouang, while cruising at an altitude of 6,000 feet in reduced visibility due to heavy rain falls, the aircraft struck tree tops and crashed on the slope of a mountain located near Long Tieng. The wreckage was found in a wooded area at an altitude of 1,800 metres. All 26 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew initiated the descent to Xieng Khouang prematurely. Poor visibility due to heavy rain falls was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Harbin Yunsunji Y-12-II near Phônsavan: 18 killed

Date & Time: Dec 13, 1993 at 0920 LT

Type of aircraft:

Harbin Yunsunji Y-12

Operator:

Registration:

RDPL-34117

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Vientiane – Phônsavan

MSN:

0042

YOM:

1991

Location:

Phônsavan

Xieng Khouang Province

Country:

Laos

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

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Circumstances:

While descending to Phônsavan Airport, the crew encountered below minima weather conditions due to fog. On approach, the pilot failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a hilly and wooded terrain located 28 km from the airport, bursting into flames. All 18 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain after the crew decided to continue the approach below the minimum safe altitude in below minima weather conditions.

Crash of an Antonov AN-24RV in Luang Namtha: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1990 at 1500 LT

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-24

Operator:

Registration:

RDPL-34008

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

67310702

YOM:

1977

Location:

Luang Namtha

Luang Namtha Province

Country:

Laos

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll at Luang Namtha Airport, after V1 speed, the crew started the rotation when the flight engineer decided to abort the takeoff procedure without any coordination with both pilots. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran and collided with a building. All 35 occupants were rescued while one person on the ground was killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the crew failed to prepare the flight according to published procedures. Prior to departure, the crew incorrectly calculated the weight and balance and it was determined that the aircraft has been incorrectly loaded as the CofG was too far forward, out of the enveloppe. Poor crew coordination was a contributing factor.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Ban Mai

Date & Time: Sep 1, 1979

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-26

Operator:

Registration:

RDPL-34037

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Hanoi - Vientiane

MSN:

2506

YOM:

1974

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

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Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane was completing a flight from Hanoi to Vientiane, carrying 62 girl students and six accompanents coming back from Soviet Union. On approach to Vientiane-Wattay Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and low visibility due to thunderstorm activity. The captain completed several circuits in the area but was unable to locate the airport. As the airplane was short of fuel, the crew decided to attempt a belly landing in an open field located in Ban Mai, about 10 km west of Wattay Airport. All 74 occupants were evacuated while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.