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6 fatalities

Midair Collision Between Provider and B-57E Canberra Over Laos (54-0600)

Ban Hai, LaosFlight

On December 13, 1968, a Fairchild C-123 Provider (registration 54-0600) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Ban Hai, Laos in flight. 6 people were killed. 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

A Provider on a flare mission collided with a USAF B-57E Canberra over Laos. Both aircraft crashed; the Canberra's two pilots and six Provider crew members were killed. The Provider captain survived after bailing out.

Background

The incident occurred during a night flare-dropping mission over Laos. The crew had departed from Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.

Collision

While cruising at night, the Provider aircraft and a United States Air Force Martin B-57E Canberra, registered 55-4284, collided in midair. Both airplanes dove into the ground and crashed in a dense jungle area.

Casualties

Both pilots aboard the Canberra were killed in the crash. Additionally, six crew members of the Provider lost their lives. The captain of the Provider was able to bail out and survived. The crew list included: Lt T. M. Turner (survived), 1st Lt Joseph Peter Fanning (†), 1st Lt John Scott Albright (†), 1st Lt Douglas Vincent Dailey (†), 1st Lt Morgan Jefferson Donahue (†), S/Sgt Samuel Franklin Walker (†), and T/Sgt Frederick Lee Clarke (†).

Midair collision

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Dec 1968 Fairchild C-123 Provider accident near Ban Hai, Laos?

A Provider on a flare mission collided with a USAF B-57E Canberra over Laos. Both aircraft crashed; the Canberra's two pilots and six Provider crew members were killed. The Provider captain survived after bailing out.

Were there any fatalities in the 13 Dec 1968 Fairchild C-123 Provider accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Dec 1968 involved a Fairchild C-123 Provider, registration 54-0600, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at Ban Hai, Laos.

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