What happened
During a nighttime flare mission, an AC-47 gunship was performing a standard orbital pattern off the coastline near Cam Ranh Bay. While executing this flight pattern, the aircraft was observed descending into the ocean, where it subsequently exploded upon impact with the water.
There were 7 fatalities resulting from the accident, as every member of the crew on board perished in the crash. The incident occurred during the operational phase of a mission involving illumination and support capabilities.
Findings
The investigation into the event determined that the cause of the crash was established following the impact.