Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 21 December 1972
Aircraft Type: Lockheed AC-130A Spectre
Owner/operator: United States Air Force – USAF
Registration Number: 56-0490
Location: 40 km NE of Pakse –
ÿ Laos
Phase of Flight: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 14 / Occupants: 16
Component Affected: Left wingLeft wing
An AC-130A gunship was engaged in combat on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, targeting trucks at an altitude of 7800 feet. It was struck by three-seven millimeter anti-aircraft artillery. Two crewmembers parachuted to safety due to fuel leakage and an explosion resulted in a loss of wing structure.An AC-130A gunship was engaged in combat on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, targeting trucks at an altitude of 7800 feet. It was struck by three-seven millimeter anti-aircraft artillery. Two crewmembers parachuted to safety due to fuel leakage and an explosion resulted in a loss of wing structure.
Description
The AC-130A gunship was attacking some trucks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail from an altitude of 7800 feet when it was hit by 37 mm AAA. Two crewmembers parachuted to safety as fuel began to leak and an explosion tore off the left wing.
Source of Information
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1857801156/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=aviationsafetyne&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1857801156http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1857801156/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=aviationsafetyne&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1857801156Primary Cause
AAA targeting and potential fuel leakage leading to a catastrophic failure.AAA targeting and potential fuel leakage leading to a catastrophic failure.Share on:
