Incident Overview
A special flight transporting refugees from the Red River region en route from Hanoi to Saigon encountered an engine failure during the flight. The crew notified air traffic control of the problem and received clearance to divert to Pakse for an emergency landing. However, the aircraft lost altitude and ultimately crashed on the bank of the Sedone River, a tributary of the Mekong River.
Casualties and Damage
Three crew members and five passengers sustained serious injuries, while 47 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact with the ground.
Official Findings
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be an engine failure that occurred in flight.