Country
code

Điện Biên Province

Crash of a Consolidated PB4Y-2B Privateer in Điện Biên Phủ: 9 killed

Date & Time: Apr 12, 1954
Operator:
Registration:
28.F.4
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Circumstances:
Shot down by enemy antiaircraft fire while overflying Điện Biên Phủ. All nine crew members were killed.
Crew:
M. Manfanovski, pilot,
M. Gauthiez, pilot,
M. Ruello-Kermellin, navigator,
M. Puyjalinet, mechanic,
M. Iltis, radio operator,
M. Guiliano, radio operator,
M. Chaigne, radio operator,
M. Bourson, gunner,
M. Paumier, gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy antiaircraft fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47A-25-DK in Điện Biên Phủ

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1954
Operator:
Registration:
F-BGXD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
13312
YOM:
1944
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, one of the pilot mistakenly raised the landing gear before the aircraft had taken off. It sank on its belly and slid for dozen yards before coming to rest. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Inadvertent retraction of the undercarriage prior to takeoff.