No fatalities

Single-Engine Takeoff at Chu Lai Airbase Ends in Crash (56-0502)

Chu Lai, VietnamTakeoff (climb)

On December 8, 1965, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules (registration 56-0502) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near Chu Lai, Vietnam during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Error on part of the crew who decided to takeoff with one engine inoperative. 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)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed after the crew attempted a takeoff from Chu Lai Airbase with one engine inoperative. All five crew members were slightly injured, and the aircraft was destroyed.

Incident Overview and Outcome The aircraft crashed after the crew elected to take off from Chu Lai Airbase with one engine inoperative. The airplane stalled during the takeoff attempt and crashed. All five crew members were slightly injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. ## Official Probable Cause The official investigation attributed the accident to an error by the crew, who decided to take off with one engine inoperative. No other cause, aircraft type, registration, operator, date, or location details were provided in the source material. ## Safety Relevance The incident highlights the risks associated with attempting a takeoff while an engine is inoperative, particularly when the aircraft stalls during the maneuver. The official finding emphasizes crew decision-making as the contributing factor in the accident.