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Crew Evacuates After Missile Strike Over North Vietnam (55-0056)

Gulf of Tonkin, VietnamFlight

On January 3, 1973, a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (registration 55-0056) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by enemy fire. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

Over Vinh, North Vietnam, an aircraft was struck by an SA-2 surface-to-air missile, causing two engines and systems to fail. The captain ordered bailout; all six wounded crew were rescued by USAF and USMC helicopters.

Incident

While flying over Vinh in North Vietnam, the aircraft was hit by an SA-2 surface-to-air missile. The captain decided to evacuate the target area, but with two engines out of service and electric and hydraulic systems inoperative, he ordered the crew to abandon the aircraft and bail out.

Escape and Rescue

The aircraft crashed into the Gulf of Tonkin. All six crew members, wounded in the attack, were evacuated by the crew of a USAF HH-53 helicopter and a USMC CH-46 helicopter.

Crew

The crew consisted of: Lt Col Gerald Wickline (pilot), Cpt William "Bill" F. Milcarek (copilot), Cpt Myles McTernan (navigator), Maj Roger A. Klingbeil (radio navigator), Cpt William E. Fergason (electronic warfare officer), and T/Sgt Carlos S. Killgore (air gunner).

Probable cause

Shot down by enemy fire.

Related events

Same operator

More Boeing B-52 Stratofortress safety records →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Jan 1973 Boeing B-52 Stratofortress accident near Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam?

Over Vinh, North Vietnam, an aircraft was struck by an SA-2 surface-to-air missile, causing two engines and systems to fail. The captain ordered bailout; all six wounded crew were rescued by USAF and USMC helicopters.

Were there any fatalities in the 3 Jan 1973 Boeing B-52 Stratofortress accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Jan 1973 involved a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, registration 55-0056, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Shot down by enemy fire.

More accident analyses