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 Two pilot-rated witnesses said the engines were operating at the time of the accident, and the landing gear was retracted.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.