What happened
On 5 September 1969, an EC-121R, registration 67-21495, operating as "Batcat 19" for the 554th Recon Squadron, was returning to Korat RTAFB following a combat mission. The flight, which included a total of 40 aircrew members, had experienced light to moderate structural and engine icing during its time in the combat zone.
As the aircraft approached Korat, the crew received weather updates indicating heavy rain and low visibility. During the descent, the aircraft was cleared for a precision radar approach to runway 24. The first approach attempt resulted in a missed approach due to the aircraft drifting left of the course, which the crew attributed to difficulties caused by the heavy rainfall.
On the second approach, the aircraft appeared to be following the glide path until approximately one nautical mile from the threshold. At decision height, the aircraft began dropping below the glide path. The EC-121R struck the approach lights roughly 3,000 feet from the runway end before impacting the ground and coming to rest 1,400 feet from the runway.
The crash resulted in 6 fatalities, including four crew members and two Thai nationals on the ground. Several other crew members sustained injuries during the accident and subsequent evacuation.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in heavy rain and low visibility conditions.
- A critical error occurred when the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) Controller incorrectly reported a ceiling of 800 feet to the crew, whereas the actual weather station reports indicated a ceiling of 8,000 feet.
- The aircraft descended below the glide path during the final stages of the precision approach.