Fairchild C-123 Provider

All West Freight

The pilot, co-pilot and the passenger departed on a day VFR cross country flight in a large, 1950's era former military transportb category airplane to deliver cargo. The pilot did not file a flight plan, and had no communication with any air traffic control facility during the flight. While en route, witnesses saw the airplane fly slowly across a valley near the entrance of a national park, which was not the intended route of flight. The airplane suddenly pitched up, stalled, and dived into wooded terrain within the park. Two pilot-rated witnesses said the engines were operating at the time of the accident, and the landing gear was retracted. An on-scene examination of the burned airplane structure and engines revealed no evidence of any preaccident mechanical deficiencies, or any evidence that the cargo had shifted during the flight. A former military pilot who had experience in the accident type airplane, stated that the airplane was considered unrecoverable from a stall, and for that reason, pilots did not typically practice stalls in it. He also indicated that if a problem was encountered with one of the two piston engines on the airplane, the auxiliary jet engine on the affected side should be started to provide additional thrust. Given the lack of mechanical deficiencies discovered during postaccident inspection, the absence of any distress communications, and the fact that neither of the two auxiliary jet engines had been started to assist in the event of a piston engine malfunction, it is likely the pilot allowed the airplane to lose airspeed and enter a low altitude stall from which he was unable to recover.

Krissalan de Aviacion

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Bahía Tortugas to Ensenada, carrying a load of 8 tons of lobsters. At takeoff, the aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height, stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. All five occupants were killed.

Salvadorian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña

While flying at low height, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The crew lost control of the airplane that crashed in a wooded and hilly terrain, bursting into flames. All 4 crew members and 10 paratroopers were killed.

Corporate Air Services

The aircraft departed San Salvador-Ilopango Airport and was dispatched over Nicaragua to deliver military supply to the Contras on behalf of a US program. On board were 70 AK-47 rifles, about 100,000 ammunition, rockets and grenades. Approaching San Carlos after flying along the coast, the crew descended to an altitude of 2,500 feet and was preparing to jettison the cargo when the aircraft was shot downy by a surface-to-air SAM-7 missile from the Sandinista forces. The aircraft lost height and crashed. Three crew members were killed while the fourth was able to parachute to safety. He was later captured by the Sandinista National Liberation Front.

Salvadorian Air Force - Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña

After landing, the twin engine airplane rolled on a mine and exploded. It came to rest and was damaged beyond repair. All 20 occupants escaped with minor injuries.

Royal Thai Air Force - Kong Thap Akat Thai

On final approach to Takhli AFB, at an altitude of 500 feet, the crew was instructed to go-around as the runway was not clear. The airplane lost height and crashed about 200 meters short of runway, bursting into flames. All 30 occupants were killed.

Republic of Korea Air Force

After takeoff from Seongnam AFB, while climbing in haevy rain falls, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a mountains area located 15 km from the airport. All 53 occupants were killed.

United States Air Force - USAF

Shortly after takeoff from Fort Sill AFB, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. All five crew members were killed. They were en route to Columbus-Rickenbacker (Lockbourne AFB), Ohio. Crew: Cpt George Freeland Jr., Maj Thomas Brady, Lt Col Donald Griffith, T/Sgt Michael Snodgrass, Sr Amn Robert Hass.

United States Air Force - USAF

En route, the crew contacted ATC and declared an emergency following an in-flight fire. The pilot-in-command diverted to Westover AFB and the airplane landed hard and came to rest in flames. All occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Royal Thai Air Force - Kong Thap Akat Thai

In unknown circumstances, the airplane struck Mt Ban Maetab and was destroyed. All six crew members were killed.

Royal Thai Air Force - Kong Thap Akat Thai

While parked, the airplane was struck by a Royal Thai Force C-47 that just took off with 12 people on board. Both airplanes were destroyed. While the C-123 was empty, five people on board the C-47 were killed, seven others were injured.

Royal Thai Air Force - Kong Thap Akat Thai

Just after liftoff, the airplane stalled and crashed adjacent to the runway. All four crew members were injured while the aircraft was destroyed. The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Bangkok-Don Mueang Airport.

Air America

While approaching Nha Trang Airport on a cargo flight from Ðà L<U+1EA1>t, 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.

Air America

The aircraft was on its way back to Saigon after the crew delivered an important load of rice in Phonm Penh. While descending to Saigon Airport, the airplane was shot down by a Strela missile and crashed about 9 km south of M<U+1ED9>c Hóa. All five occupants were killed.

Air America

En route to Saigon on a cargo flight, the airplane was hit by a SAM-7 missile. The captain decided to attempt an emergency landing when the airplane crash landed in a prairie located 6,5 km south of Tây Ninh. All four crew members were rescued while the aircraft was written off.

Khmer Air Force

Crashed in unknown circumstances on a mountain located in the region of Kampong Thom. The crew fate remains unknown.

Air America

Crashed in unknown circumstances, killing all four crew members.

Air America

En route from Vientiane to Savannakhét on a cargo flight with 5,4 tons of various goods, the airplane was hit by enemy fire. Two crew members bailed out when the airplane went out of control and crashed. Both pilots were killed. One kicker was killed when he jumped without a parachute while the second kicker parachuted from the aircraft and survived.

Air America

The aircraft departed Pakse on a supply mission, carrying foods and ammunition loaded on 14 pallets. While flying at low height, the airplane was hit by enemy fire. All four crew members decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that crashed in a huge explosion and was destroyed. All four crew members were unhurt.

Air America

The aircraft was on its way from Vang Vieng to Long Tieng, carrying 6,7 tons of various military materials on behalf of the US Air Force. While cruising in marginal weather conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck a mountain at an altitude of 4,850 feet. The wreckage was found 20 feet below the summit and all nine occupants were killed.

Air America

On approach to Pleiku Airport, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances few km from the airport. All eight occupants were killed.

Air America

The C-123K transport plane departed Udon Thani RTAFB (UTH), Thailand on a so called Peppergrinder flight, which consisted of loading and dispatching mixed ordnance for use in Laos. Destination was Ban Xieng Lom Airstrip (LS-69). The airplane was loaded with 12,892 pounds of mixed ordnance, including 75 mm shells, 81 mm rounds, 222 caliber small arms ammunition and white phosphorus smoke rounds. Based on the computed crosswinds at 8,500 feet, 293's reported altitude, it was likely that 293 was to the right of his desired track enroute out of Udon Than and at a higher than normal ground speed. The pilot though supposedly well familiar with the route, was likely flying an inadequate cross-wind correction heading in and out of cloud bases. This could have placed him to the right of L-23 and, later, well to the right and beyond LS-62 since no navigational aids were available. A valley, similar to that of LS-62, is present just to the northeast of LS-62 and close to Route 46. Had the captain been to the northeast of his reported position at LS-62 and initiated a descending left turn towards LS-69, the enemy reaction over Route 46 would be immediate and violent. Large anti-aircraft guns were only 15 miles north of LS-62. Source: ASN

United States Air Force - USAF

Upon landing, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid for several yards before coming to rest in flames. All four crew members were able to evacuate the cabin before the airplane would be totally destroyed by fire.

United States Air Force - USAF

While completing a spraying mission against malarial mosquitoes, the airplane crashed in unknown circumstances near Phan Rang. All five crew members were killed. Crew: 1st Lt Charles Milton Deas, 1st Lt Richard William O'Keefe, Lt Col Daniel Harrison Tate, M/Sgt Donald Louis Dunn, T/Sgt Clyde Wendell Hanson.

United States Air Force - USAF

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.

United States Air Force - USAF

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.

United States Air Force - USAF

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.

United States Air Force - USAF

On touchdown at Phan Rang Airport, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid for dozen yards, overran and came to rest. All five crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

United States Air Force - USAF

On final approach to Gia Nghia, the airplane struck the ground and crashed in a field located few dozen yards short of runway threshold. It broke in two and caught fire. A crew member was killed while four others were injured.

United States Air Force - USAF

Shortly after takeoff from Kien Giang, while in initial climb, the airplane banked sharply to the left and crashed, killing all five crew members. Crew: Cpt William F. Unckrich, 1st Lt Charles Franklin Burrell, T/Sgt Harry Clifton Shepard, S/Sgt Lavoyn Augustus Jones, A1C Leland Craig Johnson.

United States Air Force - USAF

While on an airlift sortie, the airplane was hit by enemy fire. The crew elected to divert to Biên Hòa Airport for an emergency landing but on descent, the airplane went out of control and crashed in flames 10 km from the airfield. All six crew members were killed. Crew: 1st Lt Neil William Hayden, 1st Lt Douglas McArthur Evans, M/Sgt Duane Leland Hartenhoff, T/Sgt Kermit Bruce Roberts, S/Sgt Carl Joseph Wanner, Sgt Milton Jackson Bush.

United States Air Force - USAF

Few minutes after takeoff from Chu Lai Airbase, the crew encountered technical difficulties with the fuel transfer system. When engine developed problems, the pilot loss of control of the aircraft that crashed. Three crew members were killed while a fourth occupant was rescued. Crew: Cpt Kenneth Roy Crist, 1st Lt Roger Henry Strout, S/Sgt Jesse John Bradshaw.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew departed Nakhon Phanom on a flare dropping mission over Laos. While cruising by night, the airplane collided with a USAF artin B-57E Canberra registered 55-4284. Both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a dense jungle area. Both pilots on board the Canberra were killed as well a six crew members of the Provider. The captain was able to bail out and survived. Crew: Lt T. M. Turner, 1st Lt Joseph Peter Fanning, † 1st Lt John Scott Albright, † 1st Lt Douglas Vincent Dailey, † 1st Lt Morgan Jefferson Donahue, † S/Sgt Samuel Franklin Walker, † T/Sgt Frederick Lee Clarke. †

United States Air Force - USAF

After touchdown at Vinh Long Airstrip, the crew encountered technical problems. The airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All three crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was written off.

United States Air Force - USAF

After touchdown on an airbase located somewhere in South Vietnam, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and collided with a parked helicopter. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed.

Air America

On final approach to Na Khang Airport, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the airplane struck a 50 cm high earth bank located 10 meters short of runway threshold. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off and the aircraft belly landed. All four crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was engaged in an aerial attack of a Viêt Cong camp located at Xóm Rach Tàu, at the extreme south coast of South Vietnam. While cruising at low height, the airplane was hit by enemy fire. The left engine and the left wing caught fire and the crew elected to evacuate the area when the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few km offshore. All three crew members were killed. Crew: Lt Col Emmet Rucker, Maj James L. Shanks, Sgt Herbert E. Schmidt.

United States Air Force - USAF

The airplane departed Hultburt Field AFB at 0800LT on a training mission under call sign Moose 09. The assigned mission was a routine SEA serial spray training flight. The formation proceeded to a point 25 nm northwest of Panama City, Florida (the designated spray training area), arriving there at 08:35 CST. At this time a series of simulated defoliation runs were conducted over an open field. At approximately 08:50 CST Aircraft 54-0602 assumed the number three position in a right echelon formation for practice defoliation runs along a series of roads. At the completion of the first run the lead aircraft gave a command to place the aircraft in a "piggy back" formation, then climbed from 150 feet AGL to approximately 300 feet AGL and executed a 270 degree turn to the right. While in this turn the Number Three aircraft contacted the ground in a left wing low position, cartwheeled, immediately caught fire and was destroyed. The instructor pilot, two student pilots, and the flight engineer sustained fatal injuries.

United States Air Force - USAF

According to the testimony of John R. Young, there was a sudden loss of power. The aircraft came down fast and hard. The captain tried to belly land when the plane broke up below cockpit and became a giant plow. Two occupants (pilot and taskmaster) were fatally injured and other occupants were injured, some seriously. There were few troops and locals on board at the time of the accident.

United States Air Force - USAF

The airplane was operating over the Ho Chi Minh Trail in southern Laos when its port engine was damaged by AAA near Ban Namchalo. The pilot aborted the mission and carefully made his way back to Nakhon Phanom where he made an emergency landing. All five crew members were uninjured but the aircraft was so badly damaged that it had to be scrapped. Source: Chris Hobson.

United States Air Force - USAF

The aircraft was completing a flight from Hu<U+1EBF> to Khe Sanh, carrying troops and spare parts. On approach, the crew was forced to make a go-around because of the presence of a light aircraft on runway. Shortly later, the airplane was hit by ground fire. The left engine caught fire and the airplane crashed in a dense wooded area located 2 km from the airfield. All 50 occupants were killed, 5 crew members, 44 soldiers and one civilian photographer. Crew: Lt Col Frederick Jordan Hampton, 1st Lt Ellis Eugene Helgeson, Sgt Jeffrey Francis Conlin, S/Sgt William Frank Anselmo, S/Sgt Noel Luis Rios.

United States Air Force - USAF

After liftoff from Khe Sanh Airstrip, while in initial climb, the airplane was struck by a mortal shell. The captain decided to land immediately and after touchdown, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in flames. All 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed.

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was completing a local training mission at Duke Field, Florida. Following several touch-and-go manoeuvres, the crew completed a circuit at low height to start a new approach when, during a last turn, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames half a mile short of runway threshold. The airplane was destroyed and all four crew members were killed.

United States Air Force - USAF

Crashed in unknown circumstances 87 km south from Buôn Ma Thu<U+1ED9>t, South Vietnam. All five crew members were rescued.

United States Air Force - USAF

As the aircraft was about to take off for its return flight to Phan Rang, the pilot saw a huge thunderstorm directly in its path and decided to abort the flight. He was observed to taxi along the runway to return to the parking area and had covered about 2,000 feet when the tower warned him to clear the runway immediately. However, before the Provider could turn off the runway it was hit by a Thunderchief as it landed in poor visibility. The F-105's starboard wing sliced through the left side of the C-123's fuselage and the jet's fuselage tore off both the Provider's engines from its port wing. The Thunderchief pilot died in the collision and the burning aircraft tumbled down the runway for another 5,000 feet. All the C-123 crew escaped with burns, although one of them died from his injuries few days later. Source: Chris Hobson

United States Air Force - USAF

The crew was completing a flight from Biên Hòa to Nha Trang with an intermediate stop at B<U+1EA3>o L<U+1ED9>c. While on approach, the pilot-in-command failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck the slope of a wooded mountain located some 19 km southwest of B<U+1EA3>o L<U+1ED9>c Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed. Crew: Lt Col Merle Deane Turner, Cpt Edward Louis Goucher, A1C james Russell Mayo.

United States Air Force - USAF

While flying at a height of 150 feet on a supply mission, the airplane was hit by enemy artillery and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area. All five crew members were killed. Crew: Lt Col Everett Edward Foster, Maj Allan Julius Stearns, Maj Donald Thomas Steinbrunner, S/Sgt Irvin Grant Weyandt, Sgt Le Tan Bo.

United States Coast Guard - USCG

The crew was engaged in a local training flight and was supposed to complete touch-and-go maneuvers. After touchdown, the pilot-in-command increase the engine power to takeoff when the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All four crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

United States Air Force - USAF

On touchdown at Saigon-Tan Son Nhat Airport, the nose gear collapsed. The airplane slid on runway for several yards before coming to rest. All five crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.

United States Air Force - USAF

While on defoliation mission, the airplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed 8 km southwest of Xepon. All five crew members were killed. Crew: Cpt Roy Robert Kubley, Maj Lloyd Francis Walker, Cpt Harvey Mulhauser, Lt Howard Leroy Barden, A1C Ronald Kazuo Miyazaki.