1970-12-15: Grumman C-2A Greyhound (155120) — United States Navy - USN — Gulf of Tonkin, Vietnam

9 fatalitiesGulf of Tonkin, VietnamTakeoff (climb)

An aircraft crashed into the Gulf of Tonkin shortly after launching from the USS Ranger, resulting in the deaths of all nine people on board.

What happened

Following a catapult launch from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61), an unidentified aircraft experienced a stall during its initial flight phase. The incident occurred in the waters of the Gulf of $Tonkin$, situated approximately 130 km northeast of Đà Nẵng.

The subsequent crash into the sea resulted in the total loss of the aircraft. There were no survivors among the nine fatalities recorded during the event. The crew members on board included the pilot, a junior officer, and several enlisted personnel.

Findings

Investigations into the accident suggest that the primary reason for the loss of control was cargo shifting at the moment of liftoff, which destabilized the aircraft immediately after it left the carrier deck.

Probable cause

The shifting of cargo during the catapult launch caused the aircraft to lose control and stall.