Aircraft Crash Near Cam Ranh Bay: 42 Killed in Dense Wooded Area (54-0649)

Incident Overview and Flight Path Details The aircraft departed from Phan Rang Air Base and initiated a descent toward Cam Ranh Bay approximately ten minutes after takeoff. The descent was conducted through a steep valley, described as 3 km wide and 15 km long, at an altitude of 2,700 feet while maintaining a heading of 30°. Shortly after this phase of the flight, air traffic control instructed the crew to change their heading to 100°, at which point contact with the aircraft was lost. ## Crash Circumstances and Immediate Aftermath The aircraft struck trees with both wings, resulting in a stall and a crash in flames within a dense wooded area located a few kilometers from Cam Ranh Bay Airport. At the time of the accident, visibility was nil due to low clouds. ## Casualties and Rescue Operations Rescue teams arrived at the scene five days after the crash. Upon arrival, they found two men still alive, while 42 other occupants were confirmed killed. ## Crew Manifest The crew members listed in the source include: - Cpt Cecil Gerald Moyer - Cpt Norbert Albert Podhajsky - 1st Lt James Francis Saxby - S/Sgt Grayson Henry Newberry - S/Sgt Harry Allen Watson