Incident Overview
On a maritime patrol flight over the Gulf of Thailand, operating near the border between Thailand and South Vietnam, the aircraft was struck by enemy fire. The right wing subsequently caught fire. The crew reported the situation to ground control and decided to divert to the nearest airport. However, the aircraft went out of control and crashed into the sea off Đảo Phú Quốc Island.
Crew and Fatalities
All 12 crew members on board were killed. The crew consisted of: Lt(jg) Frank E. Hand, Lt(jg) Stuart L. McLellan, Lt(jg) Brian J. Mathison, Lt(jg) Michael J. Purcell, AME2 Donald W. Burnside, ATI Kenneth L. Crist, A02 William S. Cutting, AXC Donald E. Kulacz, AX3 Delmar L. Lawrence, AE1 Donald F. Wood, ADJ2 Edward O. Wynder, and AX1 Alvin G. Yoximer.
Cause
According to official findings, the aircraft was shot down by enemy fire.