What happened
While performing a flight from Kadena toward Bunard Camp, situated approximately 80 km north of Biên Hòa, the crew encountered significant atmospheric disturbances. During the short final phase of the approach, the aircraft type was subjected to turbulence generated by the rotor wash of a nearby USAF helicopter.
This sudden disturbance led to a loss of control over the aircraft. The subsequent heavy landing resulted in the plane coming to a complete stop on the ground. While the incident caused significant damage to the airframe, there were no injuries reported among the five crew members involved in the flight.
Findings
- The primary factor in the accident was the impact of turbulence produced by the rotor of a US Air Force helicopter.
- The structural integrity of the aircraft was compromised during the hard landing, leading to the vessel being declared a total loss.