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Crash of a Tupolev TU-134B-3 in Phnom Penh: 65 killed

Date & Time: Sep 3, 1997 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VN-A120
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Hô Chi Minh – Phnom Penh
MSN:
66360
YOM:
1984
Flight number:
VN815
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
60
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
65
Aircraft flight hours:
11723
Aircraft flight cycles:
8209
Circumstances:
On approach to Phnom Penh-Pochentong Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and limited visibility due to heavy rain falls. Unable to establish a visual contact with the runway, the captain initiated a go-around procedure. Few minutes later, on a second attempt to land, the captain continued the approach below the glide and passed the MDA. The flight engineer, the copilot and ATC as well warned the captain that his altitude was insufficient but he failed to correct the situation when the aircraft struck palms, stalled and crashed in a rice paddy field located 300 metres short of runway. A boy aged one was injured while 65 other occupants were killed.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134B-3 in Đà Nẵng

Date & Time: Nov 16, 1996
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VN-A114
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
66220
YOM:
1984
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While taxiing at Đà Nẵng Airport, the nose gear collapsed and apparently punctured the cockpit, injuring a crew member. The aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Sơn Trung: 30 killed

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1992 at 0712 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VN-A449
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Saigon - Nha Trang
MSN:
9 63 18 48
YOM:
1976
Flight number:
VN474
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
30
Aircraft flight hours:
4668
Aircraft flight cycles:
3686
Circumstances:
While descending to Nha Trang Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to heavy rain falls. On approach, the aircraft deviated from the W13 airway by six km when it struck trees, lost height and crashed on the slope of a mountain located 350 metres, about 33 km southwest of Nha Trang. The wreckage was found eight days later at an altitude of 970 metres. A passenger was seriously injured while 30 other occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor due to the presence of typhoon 'Forest' approaching the area.
Probable cause:
Following negligences and wrong interpretation of instrument settings, the aircraft deviated from the prescribed W13 airway by 6 km until it impacted the ground.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134AK-1 in Ho Chi Minh-City

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1991
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
VN-A126
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bangkok - Ho Chi Minh-City
MSN:
60435
YOM:
1978
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
72
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the last segment on approach to Ho Chi Minh-Ville-Tan Son Nhat Airport, at a height of about 30 feet, the aircraft lost height, causing the left main gear to struck the ground short of runway threshold. The aircraft then landed hard and came to a halt on the main runway. All 79 occupants were evacuated, among them five passengers were injured.
Probable cause:
It is believed the aircraft lost height on short final due to an insufficient speed.
The following contributing factors were reported:
- Poor planned approach on part of the crew.
- Poor crew coordination.
- Lack of supervision and crew cross checks.