Incident Overview
A night cross-country courier flight operating between Saigon and Phan Rang disappeared during its route. The wreckage was discovered on 23 December, and evidence suggested the aircraft had been struck by ground fire. All nine crew members aboard were killed.
Crew Members
The lost crew included: Maj Robert William Abbot, Maj Robert Lloyd Abernathy, 1st Lt Francis Richard Buckley, M/Sgt Joseph Anthony Cestaric, T/Sgt John Monroe Chappell, T/Sgt Thomas Newton Sloan, S/Sgt Ralph Leon Hinson, A1C Claude Wesley Matthews, and A1C Johnson Ashley Meade.
Official Findings
The probable cause determined by the investigation was that the aircraft was shot down.