Vientiane – Sam Neua

On October 19, 2000 at 12:12 PM, Vientiane – Sam Neua experienced a crash involving Harbin Yunsunji Y-12, operated by Lao Aviation, with the event recorded near Sam Neua Houaphan Province.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a mountains crash site.

17 people were known to be on board, 8 fatalities were recorded, 9 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 47.1%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 15, passenger fatalities: 8, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. While descending to Sam Neua Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with limited visibility. Approaching in clouds, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 12 km from the airport. Eight passengers were killed while nine other occupants were injured.

Aircraft reference details include registration RDPL-34130, MSN 0086, year of manufacture 1994.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 20.4125°, 104.0483°.