What happened
During a flight operating from Đà Nẵng to Saigon, the aircraft was cruising at 26,000 feet when three individuals breached the cockpit. These passengers demanded that the pilot redirect the flight path toward Hanoi. The captain attempted to negotiate, suggesting that the plane would first need to make an intermediate landing at Phan Rang Airport.
During the subsequent flight, two hand grenades were detonated in the forward section of the cabin. This event resulted in significant damage to the aircraft's control mechanisms. As the crew attempted to approach Phan Rang Airport at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet, the plane transitioned into a nose-down position. The aircraft subsequently struck a rice paddy field located a short distance from the runway threshold, resulting in a massive explosion.
Upon impact, the aircraft type disintegrated, and there were no survivors among the 75 fatalities recorded on board.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the loss of control was directly linked to the explosion of two hand grenades within the cabin during a hijacking event, which compromised the integrity of the flight control systems.