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Reconnaissance Aircraft Shot Down Over Laos, Wreckage Found Decades Later (43-49546)

Ban Hai, LaosFlight

On May 15, 1966, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 43-49546) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Ban Hai, Laos in flight. 8 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by enemy 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)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

During a reconnaissance mission over Laos, an aircraft with call sign 'Spooky 10' was shot down by enemy fire. The wreckage was discovered in August 1994 about 16 km southeast of Ban Hai.

Incident

The crew departed Ubon Ratchathani Airbase in Thailand on a reconnaissance mission over Laos. While cruising at low height, the aircraft, identified by call sign 'Spooky 10', was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in an isolated area in the region of Ban Hai.

Crew

The crew on board consisted of seven members: Maj George William Jensen, Maj Lavern George Reilly, Cpt Marshall Landis Tapp, 1st Lt George Winton Thompson, S/Sgt James Arthur Preston, Sgt James Ellis Williams, Sgt William Louis Madison, and A1C Kenneth Dewey McKenney.

Recovery

Due to the situation at the time, rescue teams could not be dispatched. The wreckage was eventually found in August 1994, approximately 16 km southeast of Ban Hai.

Probable cause

Shot down by enemy fire.

Related events

Same operator

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