What happened
During a departure from Saigon-Tan Son Nhat Airport, the aircraft experienced a malfunction involving the left engine shortly after takeoff. While ascending, the crew notified ground control of the engine failure and initiated procedures to return to the airport for an emergency landing.
During the initial approach, the pilot encountered difficulties deploying the landing gear. Consequently, the captain opted to perform a go-around and completed a circuit of the airfield. While attempting a second approach to the runway, the aircraft became uncontrollable and descended into a rice paddy field situated a short distance from the runway threshold.
At the moment of impact, the left propeller had been feathered. The accident resulted in 31 fatalities, accounting for all 25 passengers and 6 crew members on board.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor leading to the accident was the failure of the left engine following takeoff.