Accident Sequence
An uneventful flight from Saigon via Pleiku concluded as the crew of a DC-4 began descent to Đà Nẵng in marginal weather conditions. Visibility was limited due to clouds. Air traffic control cleared the DC-4 to land on runway 17L. Simultaneously, a USAF F-4E Phantom II (registration 67-0393) was cleared to land on runway 17R. The DC-4 crew misinterpreted the clearance intended for the Phantom as directed to them. The captain subsequently turned right to join the approach path for runway 17R. In the reduced visibility, he did not see the Phantom approaching from the right. The two aircraft collided. The Phantom was able to land, while the Skymaster entered a dive and crashed in a rice paddy field approximately three kilometers from the runway threshold, resulting in a large explosion.
Victims
Two passengers sustained serious injuries. Seventy-five other occupants and two people on the ground were killed. Two additional individuals working in the field were injured.
Probable Cause
The official finding attributed the accident to a misinterpretation of ATC clearance on the part of the pilot, who modified the approach path, causing the aircraft to collide with a USAF fighter.