Royal Air Lao | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Crashed on takeoff from Phnom Penh-Pochentong Airport for unknown reason. All four crew members were killed. The accident occurred in March 1975, exact date unknown.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46F-1-CU Commando in Laos

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1975

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

XW-PMF

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Hong Kong – Vientiane

MSN:

22561

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Crashed in unknown circumstances somewhere in Laos while completing a cargo flight from Hong Kong to Vientiane. Both crew members were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The exact circumstances of the mishap remains unclear.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-15-CU Commando in Laos: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1974

Type of aircraft:

Curtiss C-46 Commando

Operator:

Registration:

XW-PBW

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Supply

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Vientiane - Vientiane

MSN:

33451

YOM:

1945

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Vientiane-Wattay Airport with two pilots, three cargo kickers and various foodstuffs that should be dropped over an unknown drop zone somewhere in Laos. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances about 120 km northwest of Vientiane. The wreckage was not found and all five occupants are believed dead.

Crash of a Douglas C-54A-DO Skymaster in Laos: 23 killed

Date & Time: Feb 11, 1972 at 1320 LT

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-54 Skymaster

Operator:

Registration:

XW-TDE

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Saigon - Savannakhét - Vientiane

MSN:

3098

YOM:

1943

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 10,000 feet over Laos, the crew contacted ATC and give his ETA in Vientiane at 1422LT. Shortly later, the aircraft disappeared from radar screens without the pilots having been able to transmit all or part of an emergency message and crashed in an isolated area somewhere in Laos. The wreckage was not found and all 23 occupants are presumed dead.

Probable cause:

It is believed the aircraft may have been shot down.

Crash of a Boeing S.307B-1 Stratoliner in Luang Prabang

Date & Time: Feb 27, 1971

Type of aircraft:

Boeing 307 Stratoliner

Operator:

Registration:

XW-PGR

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

2000

YOM:

1940

Location:

Luang Prabang

Louangphabang Province

Country:

Laos

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Upon landing at Luang Prabang Airport, in unclear circumstances, the left wing struck a Royal Lao Air Force C-47 and was damaged. There were no injuries but the aircraft was not repaired.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3 near Ban Napa: 37 killed

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1968

Type of aircraft:

Douglas DC-3

Operator:

Registration:

XW-TAD

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Luang Namtha – Sayaboury – Vientiane

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane was completing a flight from Luang Namtha to Vientiane with an intermediate stop in Sayaboury. On the first leg, the airplane went out of control and crashed on the slope of a mountain located in the region of Ban Napa. The wreckage was found few hours later and all 37 occupants were killed, among them several tourists and two French citizens.

Probable cause:

It is believed the loss of control was the consequence of an engine failure.