34 fatalities

1953-06-16: Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (F-BEST) — Aigle Azur — Phou Lassi Mountains, Laos

Phou Lassi Mountains, LaosFlight

On June 16, 1953, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration F-BEST) operated by Aigle Azur was involved in an aviation accident near Phou Lassi Mountains, Laos in flight. 34 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the accident remains unknown. The assumption that the airplane has been shot down was not ruled out as well as an uncontrollable fire on board. 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 1781253212Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft en route from Vientiane to Saigon crashed in the Phou Lassi Mountains. Wreckage was found 13 days later near Paksé. All 34 occupants were killed. The cause remains unknown, with possibilities including being shot down or an onboard fire.

Accident

An aircraft operating a flight from Vientiane to Saigon crashed under unknown circumstances in the Phou Lassi Mountains. The aircraft failed to arrive at its destination in Saigon, prompting search and rescue operations.

Search and Recovery

Search and rescue operations were conducted after the aircraft's non-arrival. However, the wreckage was not located until 13 days later, in an isolated and remote area approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Paksé.

Aftermath

The aircraft was destroyed in the accident. All 34 occupants on board were killed.

Investigation

Official findings state that the exact cause of the accident remains unknown. Investigators did not rule out the possibility that the airplane was shot down, nor the possibility of an uncontrollable fire on board.

Probable cause

The exact cause of the accident remains unknown. The assumption that the airplane has been shot down was not ruled out as well as an uncontrollable fire on board.