Fatal mid-air disintegration of aircraft en route from Saigon to Đà Nẵng

62 fatalities • Buôn Ma Thuột, Vietnam • Flight

A four-engine aircraft disappeared from radar during a flight from Saigon to Đà Nẵng, resulting in the loss of all 62 people on board.

What happened

During a scheduled flight traveling from Saigon toward Đà Nẵng, a four-engine aircraft vanished from radar tracking while maintaining cruising altitude. The flight crew failed to transmit any emergency signals or distress calls prior to the disappearance. Following a search operation, debris was located several hours later in an area situated approximately 24 km south of Buôn Ma Thuột.

The accident resulted in 62 fatalities, with no survivors reported from among the passengers or crew. The wreckage was scattered across the site where the aircraft's descent concluded.

Findings

Investigators were unable to establish a definitive cause for the disaster, though evidence indicated an explosion occurred within the cargo hold located between the wings. This event triggered a violent decompression of the cabin and led to the structural disintegration of the airframe. While the precise origin of the blast remains unconfirmed, authorities did not dismiss the possibility that an explosive device was responsible for the detonation.

Probable cause

An unidentified explosion in the cargo hold caused rapid decompression and the destruction of the aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1973-03-19 Douglas C-54 Skymaster accident near Buôn Ma Thuột, Vietnam?

A four-engine aircraft disappeared from radar during a flight from Saigon to Đà Nẵng, resulting in the loss of all 62 people on board.

Were there any fatalities in the 1973-03-19 Douglas C-54 Skymaster accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 62 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1973-03-19 involved a Douglas C-54 Skymaster, registration XV-NUI, operated by Air Vietnam, at Buôn Ma Thuột, Vietnam.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

An unidentified explosion in the cargo hold caused rapid decompression and the destruction of the aircraft.

Loading the flight search…