Loss of aircraft near Salavan during survey mission

8 fatalities • Salavan, Laos • Flight

An aircraft conducting a low-altitude reconnaissance mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail was destroyed by enemy fire, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

During a nighttime surveillance operation, an aircraft departed from Ubon Ratchathani AFB to conduct a survey of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The primary objective of the flight was to identify and locate enemy tank movements within the region. While operating at a low altitude, the aircraft was struck by enemy ground fire.

The impact caused the plane to crash in a remote location situated approximately 56 km southeast of Salavan. Search teams located the wreckage two days after the incident occurred. There were no survivors among the eight fatalities on board the aircraft.

Findings

Investigations into the loss of the aircraft concluded that the primary reason for the crash was that the plane was shot down by enemy fire during its low-level flight path.

Probable cause

The aircraft was destroyed by enemy ground fire while performing a low-altitude reconnaissance mission.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1973-02-04 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident near Salavan, Laos?

An aircraft conducting a low-altitude reconnaissance mission over the Ho Chi Minh Trail was destroyed by enemy fire, resulting in no survivors.

Were there any fatalities in the 1973-02-04 Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 8 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1973-02-04 involved a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), registration 43-48636, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Salavan, Laos.

What was the probable cause of the accident?