Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 30 March 1972
Aircraft Type: Lockheed AC-130E Spectre
Owner/operator: United States Air Force – USAF
Registration Number: 69-6571
Location: 21 km S of Saravane –
ÿ Laos
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 15
Component Affected: AC-130E gunshipAC-130E gunship
An AC-130E gunship was targeted by ground fire during a convoy attack on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. The aircraft was flying at 7500 feet and attempted to reach Thailand, but experienced a fire on its starboard wing, leading to a parachute deployment.An AC-130E gunship was targeted by ground fire during a convoy attack on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. The aircraft was flying at 7500 feet and attempted to reach Thailand, but experienced a fire on its starboard wing, leading to a parachute deployment.
Description
The AC-130E gunship was attacking a convoy of trucks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. During the attack it was struck by 57 mm ground fire. The airplane was flying at an altitude of 7500 feet at the time. The pilot attempted to reach Thailand, but a fire had started on the starboard wing. The crew parachuted to safety.
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
Ground fire from a convoy.Ground fire from a convoy.Share on:
