What happened
During a cargo operation departing from Vientiane, an aircraft was conducting its final approach toward the runway threshold at Xieng Khouang Airport. While descending, the plane was targeted by ground fire. The impact of various projectiles caused significant damage to multiple parts of the airframe, specifically striking the cockpit, the right wing, and the right engine.
Following these strikes, the aircraft became uncontrollable. It subsequently crashed approximately 5.6 km away from the airport's runway threshold. The accident resulted in three fatalities, as all members of the crew perished in the impact.
Findings
Investigations into the crash determined that the primary factor leading to the loss of the aircraft was incoming ground fire which compromised the structural and mechanical integrity of the plane during the approach phase.