FlightFinder
Check my flight
1 fatality

Crew Abandons Aircraft Over South China Sea After Propeller Blade Loss (52-5935)

South China Sea, WorldFlight

On June 6, 1970, a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar (registration 52-5935) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near South China Sea, World in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Lost of propeller blade in flight. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During a night gunship mission, a propeller blade was lost on the left engine. The captain returned toward Đà Nẵng but then diverted over the South China Sea, where all 10 crew members bailed out. Nine were rescued; the body of the 10th was not recovered.

Incident Overview

While en route on a night gunship mission, the captain informed ground control that the aircraft had lost a propeller blade on the left engine. He initially elected to return to Đà Nẵng Airport but later decided to continue over the South China Sea.

Abandonment and Rescue

All 10 crew members subsequently abandoned the aircraft, which crashed into the sea. Nine occupants were found alive. The body of the 10th crew member, Technical Sergeant Clyde Douglas Alloway, was not recovered.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined the probable cause to be: Lost of propeller blade in flight.

Structural failure

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 6 Jun 1970 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar accident near South China Sea, World?

During a night gunship mission, a propeller blade was lost on the left engine. The captain returned toward Đà Nẵng but then diverted over the South China Sea, where all 10 crew members bailed out. Nine were rescued; the body of the 10th was not recovered.

Were there any fatalities in the 6 Jun 1970 Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 6 Jun 1970 involved a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, registration 52-5935, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at South China Sea, World.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Lost of propeller blade in flight.

More accident analyses