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32 fatalities

Fatal Mountain Strike on Approach to Pleiku Airport (EM-2)

Pleiku, VietnamLanding (descent or approach)

On June 5, 1972, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration EM-2) operated by Air America was involved in an aviation accident near Pleiku, Vietnam during landing or approach. 32 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew failed to realize the aircraft's altitude was too low during approach, resulting in a collision with a mountain slope. 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)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft struck a mountain slope near Pleiku Airport during approach, killing all 32 occupants, including crew, mechanics, and military personnel.

Incident Overview During an approach to Pleiku Airport, the aircraft descended to an altitude that was too low for the terrain. The crew did not recognize the insufficient altitude before the airplane collided with the slope of a mountain situated a few kilometers from the airport. The wreckage was located approximately 15 meters below the summit of the mountain. All 32 people on board were killed in the accident. The fatalities included six China Airlines employees, consisting of three crew members and three mechanics, 11 U.S. soldiers, 14 South Vietnamese soldiers, and one South Vietnamese civilian.

Probable cause

The crew failed to realize the aircraft's altitude was too low during approach, resulting in a collision with a mountain slope.
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

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