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5 fatalities

Night Flare Mission Aircraft Shot Down by Enemy Fire (55-4534)

An Khe, VietnamFlight

On May 17, 1966, a Fairchild C-123 Provider (registration 55-4534) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near An Khe, Vietnam in flight. 5 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft departing Nha Trang Airport for a night flare mission was shot down by enemy fire at 6,500 feet, killing all five occupants. The crew lost control while attempting to divert.

Mission Details

The aircraft departed Nha Trang Airport to conduct a night-time mission to drop flares over friendly positions. It was flying at an altitude of 6,500 feet when it was engaged by enemy fire.

Incident

Enemy fire struck the airplane, prompting the crew to attempt a diversion toward the nearest suitable terrain. However, control was lost before the diversion could be completed. The aircraft subsequently crashed in flames. The impact and fire resulted in the deaths of all five occupants.

Crew

The crew consisted of Captain Stanley Gilbert Cox, 1st Lieutenant Albert Richard Wilson, Master Sergeant Raymond Charles Jajtner, Airman First Class William John Moore, and Airman First Class Jerry Mack Wall.

Probable cause

Shot down by enemy fire

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 May 1966 Fairchild C-123 Provider accident near An Khe, Vietnam?

An aircraft departing Nha Trang Airport for a night flare mission was shot down by enemy fire at 6,500 feet, killing all five occupants. The crew lost control while attempting to divert.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 May 1966 Fairchild C-123 Provider accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 May 1966 involved a Fairchild C-123 Provider, registration 55-4534, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at An Khe, Vietnam.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Shot down by enemy fire

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