26 fatalities

1967-11-30: De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou (62-4175) — United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) — Quy Nhơn, Vietnam

Quy Nhơn, VietnamFlight

On November 30, 1967, a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou (registration 62-4175) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Quy Nhơn, Vietnam in flight. 26 people were killed. 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 1781239372Data APIEditorial standards

On a flight from Pleiku to Qui Nhơn, the crew aborted the approach due to low visibility and diverted to Nha Trang. While cruising in clouds, the aircraft struck tree tops and crashed on a wooded mountain, killing all 26 occupants.

Accident Sequence

The aircraft was en route from Pleiku to Qui Nhơn Airport. As it neared Qui Nhơn, weather conditions worsened. The crew received word from air traffic control that the airport was closed due to visibility falling below minima, and they were vectored toward Nha Trang. The pilot-in-command opted to abandon the approach, executing a go-around and diverting to Nha Trang. Shortly thereafter, while flying in conditions of limited visibility caused by low clouds, the airplane collided with tree tops and came to rest atop a wooded mountain.

Weather Conditions

At the time of the accident, visibility was poor. The mountain was shrouded in clouds.

Search and Recovery

Because the crash site was located in an enemy zone, search and rescue personnel could not reach it. The wreckage was eventually discovered several weeks later.

Occupants

All 26 occupants were killed in the accident. The crew comprised Maj Thomas Dewey Moore, Maj William Jerome Clark, S/Sgt Arturo Delgado-Marin, and S/Sgt Stanley Joseph Yurewicz.