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3 fatalities

US Army Aircraft Shot Down by Friendly Fire (62-4161)

Đức Phổ, VietnamFlight

On August 3, 1967, a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou (registration 62-4161) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Đức Phổ, Vietnam in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by friendly 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 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft was mistakenly shot down by a US 155 mm howitzer while approaching a US special Army Forces camp. The tail was torn off, causing the plane to crash and killing all three crew members.

Incident Overview During an approach to a US special Army Forces camp, an aircraft was mistakenly targeted and struck by a US 155 mm howitzer. The impact tore off the tail section, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. The plane subsequently dove into the ground and crashed. All three crew members on board were killed in the incident. ## Crew Members The aircraft was operated by a three-person crew, consisting of Captain Alan Eugene Hendrickson, Captain John Dudley Wiley, and Technical Sergeant Zane AUbry Carter. ## Official Findings The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was friendly fire, specifically the aircraft being shot down by a US 155 mm howitzer.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 3 Aug 1967 De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou accident near Đức Phổ, Vietnam?

An aircraft was mistakenly shot down by a US 155 mm howitzer while approaching a US special Army Forces camp. The tail was torn off, causing the plane to crash and killing all three crew members.

Were there any fatalities in the 3 Aug 1967 De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 3 Aug 1967 involved a De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou, registration 62-4161, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Đức Phổ, Vietnam.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Shot down by friendly fire.

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