Aircraft destruction near Mộc Hóa during descent to Saigon

5 fatalities • Mộc Hóa, Vietnam • Flight

An aircraft returning from Phnom Penh was destroyed by a missile strike while approaching Saigon, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

Following the delivery of a cargo of rice to Phnom Penh, the aircraft was performing a descent toward Saigon Airport. During this approach phase, the plane was struck by a Strela missile. The impact caused the aircraft to crash approximately 9 km south of Mộc Hóa.

There were five fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft during the incident. No survivors were reported from the wreckage.

Findings

Investigations into the destruction of the aircraft concluded that the primary cause was the impact of ground-based missile fire while the plane was in its descent phase.

Probable cause

The aircraft was struck and downed by a Strela missile launched from the ground.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1974-07-27 Fairchild C-123 Provider accident near Mộc Hóa, Vietnam?

An aircraft returning from Phnom Penh was destroyed by a missile strike while approaching Saigon, resulting in no survivors.

Were there any fatalities in the 1974-07-27 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 1974-07-27 involved a Fairchild C-123 Provider, registration ST-4, operated by Air America, at Mộc Hóa, Vietnam.

What was the probable cause of the accident?