Aircraft Destroyed by Enemy Fire After Takeoff from Khe Sanh Airstrip (54-0694)

Incident Overview and Immediate Aftermath An aircraft departed Khe Sanh Airstrip and was struck by a mortar shell while in the initial climb phase. The impact occurred shortly after liftoff, prompting the captain to make an immediate decision to land. Following touchdown, the aircraft lost control, veered off the runway, and came to rest in flames. The aircraft was destroyed in the incident. All 10 occupants on board escaped without injury. The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was that the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire. No specific aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or location beyond Khe Sanh Airstrip was provided in the source material.