FlightFinder
Check my flight
6 fatalities

Supply Airliner Shot Down Near An Lộc (64-0508)

An Lộc, VietnamFlight

On April 25, 1972, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules (registration 64-0508) operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947) was involved in an aviation accident near An Lộc, Vietnam in flight. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Shot down by ground fire. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A six-crew aircraft was hit by enemy fire while approaching a target zone at 500 feet and 170 knots, crashed 1.5 km southwest of An Lộc, and all six crew members were killed.

Incident Overview A crew departed Saigon-Tan Son Nhat on a supply-dropping mission in the region of An Lộc. While approaching the target zone at an altitude of 500 feet and a speed of 170 knots, the airplane was struck by enemy fire. ## Crash and Casualties After being hit, the aircraft went out of control and crashed 1.5 km southwest of An Lộc. All six crew members were killed. ## Crew - Maj Harry Arlo Amesbury - 1st Lt Kurt Frederick Weisman - 1st Lt Richard Lee Russell - T/Sgt Donald Russell Hoskins - S/Sgt Calvin Coolidge Cooke - S/Sgt Richard Edward Dunn ## Official Finding The official probable cause was that the aircraft was shot down by ground fire.

Related events

Same operator

More Lockheed C-130 Hercules safety records →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 25 Apr 1972 Lockheed C-130 Hercules accident near An Lộc, Vietnam?

A six-crew aircraft was hit by enemy fire while approaching a target zone at 500 feet and 170 knots, crashed 1.5 km southwest of An Lộc, and all six crew members were killed.

Were there any fatalities in the 25 Apr 1972 Lockheed C-130 Hercules accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 25 Apr 1972 involved a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, registration 64-0508, operated by United States Air Force - USAF (since 1947), at An Lộc, Vietnam.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Shot down by ground fire

More accident analyses