ASN Aircraft accident Douglas DC-3C XW-PDL Luang Prabang
ASN logo
 

Status:Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Date:Tuesday 25 July 1967
Type:Silhouette image of generic DC3 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different
Douglas DC-3C
Operating for:Véha-Akat
Leased from:China Airlines
Registration: XW-PDL
MSN: 12324
First flight: 1944
Total airframe hrs:24883
Crew:Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3
Passengers:Fatalities: 13 / Occupants: 13
Total:Fatalities: 16 / Occupants: 16
Aircraft damage: Damaged beyond repair
Location:25 km (15.6 mls) SE of Luang Prabang (   Laos)
Phase: En route (ENR)
Nature:Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:Vientiane-Wattay Airport (VTE/VLVT), Laos
Destination airport:Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ/VLLB), Laos
Narrative:
The DC-3 took off from Vientiane at 09:35 h for a flight to Luang Prabang. Bad weather forced the crew to overfly Luang Prabang at 10:35 and enter a holding pattern to wait for better weather
The wreckage was found on 28 October 1967 the mountains of Phou Pha Bon.
The aircraft was later found to have crashed in the mountains.

Probable Cause:

PROBABLE CAUSE: "The aircraft struck a mountain ridge during flight. The probable cause of the accident was a strong downdraft in the area of the peak where, because of the weather conditions, the aircraft encountered an area of extreme turbulence which prevented the pilot from effectively regaining control of the aircraft and regaining height."

Sources:
» ICAO Circular 96-AN/79


Photos

Add your photo of this accident or aircraft

Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Vientiane-Wattay Airport to Luang Prabang Airport as the crow flies is 215 km (134 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.

This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
languages: languages

Share

Douglas DC-3

  • ca 13.000 built
  • 3871st loss
  • 1535th fatal accident
  • 287th worst accident (at the time)
  • 334th worst accident (currently)
» safety profile

 Laos
  • 4th worst accident (at the time)
  • 10th worst accident (currently)
» safety profile

The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:

CONNECT WITH US: FSF on social media FSF Facebook FSF Twitter FSF Youtube FSF LinkedIn FSF Instagram

©2024 Flight Safety Foundation

1920 Ballenger Av, 4th Fl.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
www.FlightSafety.org