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9 fatalities

Fatal Mountain Strike During Military Cargo Flight (555)

Vang Vieng, LaosFlight

On August 27, 1972, a Fairchild C-123 Provider (registration 555) operated by Air America was involved in an aviation accident near Vang Vieng, Laos in flight. 9 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Controlled flight into terrain. 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 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A military cargo aircraft crashed into a mountain while flying from Vang Vieng to Long Tieng, killing all nine occupants. The official probable cause was controlled flight into terrain.

Incident Overview and Route Details The aircraft was operating a military cargo mission from Vang Vieng to Long Tieng when it struck a mountain. The flight was transporting 6.7 tons of various military materials on behalf of the US Air Force. The accident occurred while the aircraft was cruising in marginal weather conditions. ## Accident Circumstances and Findings During the flight, the crew failed to recognize that the aircraft's altitude was insufficient for the terrain ahead. The airplane subsequently struck a mountain at an altitude of 4,850 feet. The wreckage was located 20 feet below the summit of the mountain. All nine occupants aboard the aircraft were killed in the accident. ## Official Probable Cause The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was controlled flight into terrain.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Aug 1972 Fairchild C-123 Provider accident near Vang Vieng, Laos?

A military cargo aircraft crashed into a mountain while flying from Vang Vieng to Long Tieng, killing all nine occupants. The official probable cause was controlled flight into terrain.

Were there any fatalities in the 27 Aug 1972 Fairchild C-123 Provider accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 9 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Aug 1972 involved a Fairchild C-123 Provider, registration 555, operated by Air America, at Vang Vieng, Laos.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Controlled flight into terrain.

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