Ðà N<U+1EB5>ng – Saigon

On July 25, 1966 at 12:00 AM, Ðà N<U+1EB5>ng – Saigon experienced a crash involving Douglas C-117 Skytrain, operated by United States Marine Corps, with the event recorded near Ðà N<U+1EB5>ng Ðà N<U+1EB5>ng City District.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

31 people were known to be on board, 7 fatalities were recorded, 24 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 22.6%.

Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 7, passengers on board: 23, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

Shortly after takeoff from Ðà N<U+1EB5>ng Airport, while in initial climb, the airplane stalled and crashed past the runway end. Seven crew members were killed were all 24 other occupants were injured, some of them seriously. The airplane was engaged in a troop transport from Ðà N<U+1EB5>ng to Saigon. Engine failure is suspected. Those killed were: Lt Col David Cleeland, Maj Clifton Bishop Andrews, Maj Gerard Martin Kieswetter, Cpt Jerome Cordell Winters, Sgt Robert Clayton Morre, G/Sgt Willis Shepherd Bowman, Cpl Mickey Ray Grable.

Aircraft reference details include registration 17211, MSN 13221, year of manufacture 1944.