Flight and Initial Problem
On the afternoon of the 8th, an aircraft designated Prong 33 departed Phù Cát on a planned seven-hour RDF mission. Twenty minutes after takeoff, the pilot reported a problem with the doppler navigation equipment and returned to base. The aircraft landed safely, and although the doppler was repaired, the weather radar was found to be inoperative.
Second Takeoff and Weather
Despite unfavorable weather in the intended flight area, the pilot was instructed to take off again but to return before dark if conditions deteriorated. Upon reaching the operational area, the weather was too severe to proceed safely, so 1st Lt Knight flew toward the coast to return to Phù Cát.
Emergency and Loss of Contact
Guided by a GCA controller through poor weather, 1st Lt Knight reported an inverter fire followed by loss of gyros and attitude indicators during the approach. The controller gave directions to the airfield, but radio and radar contact was lost.
Search and Recovery
Search operations were hindered by bad weather. On 12 October, a SAR helicopter located the wreckage approximately 15 miles southeast of Phù Cát. All six crew members were killed: 1st Lt Ronald Harold Knight, 1st Lt Max Emmanuel Rosen, Cpt Bradley Rogers Ransom, T/Sgt Sylvester William Redman, S/Sgt Elmore L. Hall, and S/Sgt Michael L. Stiglich.