What happened
During a logistics operation intended to support the Marine Corps base at Khe Sanh, a Hercules aircraft was engaged in a specialized resupply mission. The objective involved delivering sandbags to assist with an ongoing reconstruction project at the base. Because the runway was undergoing repairs, the crew had to execute a low-speed, low-altitude maneuver over the airstrip to push the cargo out of the rear of the plane.
While performing a Ground Controlled Approach (GCA), the aircraft failed to reach the runway and crashed short of the landing area. The impact caused the airframe to ignite. Of the five crew members on board, four fatalities were recorded, with only one individual surviving the accident.
Findings
At the time of the incident, meteorological conditions were unfavorable, characterized by a low cloud base. While there was no evidence of enemy interference during the flight, investigators determined that the crash was the result of pilot error during the approach.