No fatalities

Runway Departure Incident at Phan Thiêt Airport (B-251)

Phan Thiết, VietnamLanding (descent or approach)

On April 24, 1969, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration B-251) operated by Far Eastern Air Transport - FAT was involved in an aviation accident near Phan Thiết, Vietnam during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 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

An aircraft landed on its left main gear first at Phan Thiêt Airport, lost control, and veered off runway 07 to strike an earth mound. All 31 occupants escaped uninjured, but the airframe was damaged beyond repair.

Incident Overview

An aviation incident occurred at Phan Thiêt Airport involving a commercial aircraft that experienced significant structural damage during landing operations. The event resulted in the total loss of the airframe, although no injuries were reported among those on board.

Sequence of Events

According to the investigation findings, the aircraft made initial contact with runway 07 using its left main landing gear first. The specific reason for this asymmetric touchdown remains unknown. Immediately following this initial impact, the flight crew lost control of the aircraft. Consequently, the plane veered off the paved surface to the left side of the runway.

Outcome and Damage Assessment

The uncontrolled movement continued until the aircraft struck an earth mound adjacent to the airfield. The collision brought the vehicle to a complete stop. Post-incident assessments determined that the structural integrity of the aircraft was compromised to such an extent that it was declared damaged beyond repair. Despite the severity of the crash, all 31 occupants on board successfully evacuated and escaped without sustaining any injuries.