Khánh Hòa Province

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.

On approach to Ho Chi Minh-City Airport, the crew encountered below minima weather conditions but the captain decided to continue. On short final, as the aircraft deviated from the approach path, the right main gear struck the ground 114 meters short of runway and was torn off. The right outer wing was damaged as well as the propeller n°4 and both hydraulics systems. The crew decided to return to Cam Ranh Bay Airport. Upon landing, the crew feathered the propeller n°1 and after touchdown, the aircraft veered off runway to the left, hit obstacles and came to rest, bursting into flames. Three occupants were seriously injured while 31 others were killed.

While approaching Nha Trang Airport on a cargo flight from Đà Lạt, the airplane was shot down by a SA-7 surface-to-air missile and crashed 9 km southwest of Nha Trang. The wreckage was found four days later and all nine occupants have been killed.

Ten minutes after his departure from Phan Rang Air Base, the pilot started the descent to Cam Ranh Bay via a steep valley (3 km wide and 15 km long) at an altitude of 2,700 feet via heading 30°. Shortly later, ATC instructed the crew to change heading to 100° when contact was lost. The airplane struck trees with its both wings, stalled and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area located few km from Cam Ranh Bay Airport. Rescuers arrived on the scene five days later and found two men still alive while 42 other occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was nil due to low clouds.
Crew:
Cpt Cecil Gerald Moyer,
Cpt Norbert Albert Podhajsky,
1st Lt James Francis Saxby,
S/Sgt Grayson Henry Newberry,
S/Sgt Harry Allen Watson.

While descending to Nha Trang Air Base on a flight from Saigon, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility and a low ceiling at 2,000 feet. On approach at an altitude of 4,600 feet, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the right wing struck trees. Out of control, the airplane crashed in flames in a wooded area located on the slope of a mountain, some 25 km southwest of the airport. Due to poor weather conditions and the fact that the aircraft crashed in an inaccessible area, the crash site was reached nine days later only. The wreckage was found about 150 feet below the summit and all 79 occupants have been killed. At the time of the accident, ceiling was broken at 2,000 feet and the horizontal visibility was estimated to 1,500 meters.
Crew:
1st Lt Marvin S. Arthington,
Maj Robert Lee Baker,
1st Lt Frederick M. Rader,
T/Sgt William Brandon O'Kieff,
Sgt Allen James Bodin,
A1c Frederick Richard Neff.

While approaching Cam Ranh Bay Airport on a flight from Phan Rang, an engine failed. The crew lost control of the airplane that crashed few km from the airfield. A crew member survived while three others were killed.
Crew:
Maj Grant Reed Waugh, †
Cpt Dwaine Elbyrne Mattox, †
T/Sgt Bernard Francis Morrill, †
+ one crew, name unknown.

While approaching Nha Trang on a flight from Saigon, the pilot informed ATC about an explosion on board and that control was heavy. The hydraulic system failed so the undercarriage must be lowered manually. The captain decided to perform a low pass over the runway to check the landing gear with ATC. That made, the crew completed a nose high and flapless landing shortly later. After touchdown just over the threshold, the crew activated the reverse thrust systems when the airplane became airborne. So the throttles were closed and the aircraft landed again but too far down the runway. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, it overran, struck a concrete pylon and several obstacles before coming to rest in flames in a popular area. Ten passengers and 24 people on the ground were killed. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

It is understood that a in-flight fire occurred on board following an electrical short-circuit in the cockpit. The aircraft crash landed at Cam Ranh Bay Airport and came to rest in flames. All six crew members were evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed.

The Spooky gunship on a night flare mission was flying a normal orbit off the coast near Cam Ranh Bay when it was observed to crash into the sea and explode. All on board the aircraft were killed in the crash, the cause of which was ascertained.
Crew:
Maj Burnett Neal,
Maj Bruce Reginald Williams,
1st Lt Clifford C. Barnett,
S/Sgt Frederick Edward Barnette,
S/Sgt Robert Wendell Davis,
S/Sgt Thomas Alfred Preaux,
A1C Michael Jeff Stephens.