Jump to content

1965 Hong Kong US Marines KC-130F Crash

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1965 Hong Kong KC-130F crash
A US Marine Corps KC-130F (similar to the aircraft involved in the serious accident at Kai Tak) landing at Dong Ha Air Base in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Accident
DateAugust 24, 1965
SummaryLoss of control due to engine failure
SiteKai Tak International Airport (HKG/VHHH) in British Hong Kong
Aircraft
Aircraft typeLockheed KC-130F Hercules
OperatorUnited States Marine Corps
Registration149802
Flight originKai Tak International Airport (HKG/VHHH) in British Hong Kong
StopoverDa Nang Air Base in South Vietnam
DestinationTan Son Nhut Air Base in Saigon, South Vietnam
Passengers65
Crew6
Fatalities59
Survivors12

A United States Marines Corps (USMC) Lockheed KC-130F Hercules, ferrying a group of US marines back to South Vietnam from rest-and-relaxation leave in then-British Hong Kong, crashed on take-off, causing a total of 59 deaths out of all 71 (both the flight-crew and the passengers) on board the aircraft on August 24, 1965.

The accident

[edit]

The accident began after the aircraft, a USMC Lockheed KC-130F Hercules (Bu.No.149802), veered left shortly after take-off, struck a sea-wall and then crashed and plunged into the waters surrounding Kai Tak Airport's runway at a distance of 40 ft (12 m) off Hong Kong Island.[1]

Cause

[edit]

The cause of the accident regarding the aircraft's crash was attributed to a partial failure of the No.1 engine during the plane's take-off from the runway.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "accident report". Aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2015-06-18.