Incident Overview
On a mission during the Linebacker II campaign, a bomber aircraft departed U-Tapao Naval Air Station in Thailand with six crew members on board. While operating over Hanoi, Vietnam, the aircraft was struck by enemy fire identified as an SA-2 surface-to-air missile. Despite the hit, the crew managed to guide the aircraft away from the immediate area.
Crash and Crew
The aircraft continued flying but eventually lost altitude as it crossed into Thailand. It crashed approximately 35 kilometers east of the city of Khon Kaen. Of the six crew members, two survived the crash, while four others were killed.
Crew Roster
The crew consisted of:
- Major John Franklin Stuart, pilot
- 1st Lieutenant Paul Granger, copilot
- Captain Thomas Klomann, navigator
- Major Randolph Perry Jr., radio navigator
- Captain Irwin Lerner, electronic warfare officer
- Master Sergeant Arthur McLaughlin, air gunner
Indications are that Maj Stuart, 1st Lt Granger, Cpt Lerner, and MSgt McLaughlin did not survive the crash.
Official Findings
The investigation concluded that the probable cause of the accident was the aircraft being shot down by enemy fire.