What happened
During a mission to deliver supplies to An Loc, an aircraft departed from Saigon. While the flight was being conducted at high speeds and low altitudes, the plane was struck by enemy fire. Following the impact, the crew decided to divert the aircraft back toward Saigon.
A few minutes after the decision to return, a fire broke out on the right wing of the aircraft. In response to the spreading flames, the captain initiated an emergency landing procedure. The aircraft subsequently crashed into a swampy region while on fire. Although the impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe, all five occupants were successfully rescued from the wreckage.
Findings
- The aircraft sustained damage from enemy ground fire during its low-altitude flight phase.
- A fire developed on the right wing following the initial engagement.