FlightFinder
Check my flight
22 fatalities

Fatal aircraft accident during approach to Qui Nhơn Airport

Quy Nhơn, VietnamLanding (descent or approach)

On October 23, 1971, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) operated by South Vietnamese Air Force was involved in an aviation accident near Quy Nhơn, Vietnam during landing or approach. 22 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft crashed short of the runway while attempting to land in heavy rainfall. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed a short distance from the runway at Qui Nhơn Airport during a heavy rainstorm, resulting in 22 fatalities.

What happened

During an approach to Qui Nhơn Airport, an aircraft encountered severe weather conditions characterized by intense rainfall. While performing the final approach phase of the flight, the plane impacted the ground several kilometers before reaching the runway threshold.

The accident resulted in a high number of casualties among those on board. Out of the total occupants, 22 fatalities were recorded, while one passenger sustained serious injuries.

Findings

  • The aircraft was operating in heavy rain at the time of the impact.
  • The crash occurred during the final approach phase of the flight sequence.

Probable cause

The aircraft crashed short of the runway while attempting to land in heavy rainfall.

More accident analyses