Vientiane - Vientiane

On July 25, 1972 at 10:50 AM, Vientiane - Vientiane experienced a crash involving De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter, operated by Air America, with the event recorded near Tha Tham Bleung Vientiane Province.

The flight was categorized as supply and the reported phase was flight at a plain, valley crash site.

4 people were known to be on board, 3 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 75.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 2, passenger fatalities: 1, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The airplane was engaged in a supply mission out from Vientiane-Wattay Airport, carrying two passengers, two crew and a load of 2,780 pounds of food. While approaching the drop zone and flying below the cloud base, the pilot-in-command initiated a steep turn to the left when the airplane stalled and crashed. A passenger survived while three other occupants were killed. It is believed that the aircraft's speed was too low during the last turn, causing it to stall and to crash.

Aircraft reference details include registration N5662, MSN 326, year of manufacture 1971.