Incident
A military transport aircraft was completing a flight from Huế to Khe Sanh, carrying troops and spare parts. While on approach, the crew executed a go-around due to a light aircraft occupying the runway. Shortly thereafter, the airplane was struck by ground fire. The left engine ignited, and the aircraft crashed into a dense wooded area approximately 2 kilometers from the airfield.
Casualties
All 50 occupants perished in the crash. The victims included 5 crew members, 44 soldiers, and one civilian photographer. The crew was identified as Lt Col Frederick Jordan Hampton, 1st Lt Ellis Eugene Helgeson, Sgt Jeffrey Francis Conlin, S/Sgt William Frank Anselmo, and S/Sgt Noel Luis Rios.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire.