Accident Overview
A flight from Biên Hòa with an intermediate stop at Bảo Lộc was proceeding to Nha Trang. While on approach to Bảo Lộc, the aircraft impacted the slope of a wooded mountain located approximately 19 km southwest of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed, and all 11 occupants perished.
Sequence of Events
The crew had been completing a multi-leg journey. During the approach phase, the pilot-in-command failed to maintain sufficient altitude. The airplane struck the terrain before reaching the airport. Among the occupants were Lieutenant Colonel Merle Deane Turner, Captain Edward Louis Goucher, and Airman First Class James Russell Mayo.
Findings
Investigation determined that the accident was the result of pilot error. The pilot began the approach too early, causing the aircraft to descend below the minimum safe altitude for that segment of the flight. No other contributing factors were identified in the official report.