The C-141 had just landed on runway 17L/35R at Da Nang Air Base following a 6-hour night flight. Weather included a clouds at 700 feet and visibility of 2 miles. The pilot turned off the runway and taxied toward the ramp, crossing the active runway 17R/35L. At that moment a U.S. Marine Corps Grumman A-6A Intruder (152608) was taking off from that runway. The A-6 crew attempted to avoid the collision, but the airplane struck the nose of the C-141. It continued and crashed inverted. Both crew members survived the accident. The C-141 caught fire. Tower personnel stated that they had not cleared the C-141 to cross the inner active runway, but poor radio equipment possibly precluded the C-141 from hearing this transmission. Landing and taxi lights were not being used by either aircraft, both were displaying only navigation lights.