Aircraft loss during supply mission near An Lộc

6 fatalities • An Lộc, Vietnam • Flight

An aircraft crashed near An Lộc after being struck by enemy fire during a low-altitude supply drop mission.

What happened

During a mission to deliver supplies to the An Lộc region, an aircraft was engaged by ground forces. The flight departed from Saigon-Tan Son Nhat and was maneuvering at an altitude of approximately 500 feet with an airspeed of 170 knots as it approached the designated target zone.

While operating in the vicinity of the drop site, the plane sustained hits from enemy fire. This damage caused the aircraft to become uncontrollable, leading to a crash approximately 1.5 km southwest of An Lộc. The impact resulted in six fatalities, with no survivors among the crew members on board.

Findings

Investigations into the loss of the aircraft concluded that the primary reason for the crash was that the plane was shot down by ground fire while performing its low-level mission.

Probable cause

The aircraft was struck and downed by enemy ground fire during a supply drop mission.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1972-04-25 Lockheed C-130 Hercules accident near An Lộc, Vietnam?

An aircraft crashed near An Lộc after being struck by enemy fire during a low-altitude supply drop mission.

Were there any fatalities in the 1972-04-25 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 1972-04-25 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?

The aircraft was struck and downed by enemy ground fire during a supply drop mission.

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