10 fatalities

Enemy Fire Downing Kills Ten on Radio Direction Finding Mission (45-1133)

Salavan, LaosFlight

On February 5, 1969, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration 45-1133) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Salavan, Laos in flight. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by enemy fire. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft on a radio direction finding mission from Pleiku to Huế was shot down by enemy fire and crashed about 40 km southeast of Saravane. The wreckage was discovered in October 1969, and all 10 crew members were killed.

Incident Description

An aircraft conducting a radio direction finding mission from Pleiku to Huế was shot down by enemy fire. The aircraft crashed approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Saravane. The wreckage was later found in October 1969.

Crew

The crew consisted of 10 members: Maj Homer Morgan Lynn, Cpt Walter Francis Burke, Maj Harry Tilman Niggle, Maj Robert Eugene Olson, M/Sgt Wilton Neil Hatton, S/Sgt James Vernon Dorsey, S/Sgt Rodney Herschel Gott, S/Sgt Hugh Leslie Sherburn, T/Sgt Louis John Clever, and Sgt Clarence Leon McNeill. All 10 crew members were killed in the incident.

Investigation

Official findings indicate the probable cause of the crash was the aircraft being shot down by enemy fire.