THAI AIR ACCIDENTS (1970 to 1979)

 

 

Below are listed brief details of known accidents to Thai aircraft, civil and military, and to other aircraft where the accident was within Thailand. The bulk of the data is from Thai DoA records, from Royal Thai Air Force sources and from press reports. Credit is also due to various Air Britain publications, Sid Nanson, Vidya Tapasanan, Marco Dijkshoorn (Scramble), Cheryl Baumgartner, Ed Young’s “Aerial Nationalism – A History of Aviation in Thailand” (Smithsonian 1995), NTSB website and others. For Vietnam era US military accidents, Chris Hobson’s “Vietnam Air Losses” is a valuable source of more detailed information.

 

 

Date

Type

Operator

Serial

 

Location & Details

02-Jan-70

Northrop F-5A

Thai AF

Kh18-1/10 / 69159

 

1970

h/c

 

 

Crashed at Si Racha District, Chonburi Province

13-Jan-70

Douglas C-47

Thai AF

L2-17/00

Crashed at Chiang Klang Airport, 8km north of Nan Province; 1 killed, 5 seriously injured

28-Jan-70

North American T-6

Thai AF

 

Crashed on landing at Nakhon Si Thammarat; 1 seriously injured. Photo

14-Feb-70

Cessna 182G/Wren  460

Bira Air Transport

HS-PCA

Overan runway in Nakhon Pathom Province; substantially damaged

21-Feb-70

F-105G Thunderchief

USAF – 355TFW

63-8281

Damaged by AA over Laos and crashed south west of Udorn AFB, Udon Thani Province; 2 escaped

04-Mar-70

Bell UH-1H

Thai AF

H6-21/12

 

14-Mar-70

A-1H Skyraider

USAF – 56SOW

52-134471

Crashed on take off from Nakhon Phanom AFB; 1 crew + 1 on ground killed, 6 on ground injured

14-Mar-70

F-105 Thunderchief

USAF

 

Crashed in Nakhon Phanom; 2 killed

16-Mar-70

F-105D Thunderchief

USAF – 355TFW

62-4230

Damaged by AA over Laos and crashed into trees 9 miles south of Udorn AFB, Udon Thani Province; 1 escaped

19-Mar-70

A-1H Skyraider

USAF – 56SOW

52-135275

Damaged by AA over Laos and abandoned 25 miles west of Nakhon Phanom; 1 survived

24-Mar-70

DHC Caribou

Thai Police

12251

Crashed into Nang Keo mountain between Doi Saket District, Chiang Mai Province and Wang Pa Pao, Chiang Rai Province; 6 killed

30-Mar-70

F-4D Phantom

USAF – 432TRW

66-8707

Hit by AA over North Vietnam and crashed 4.5 miles north of Nakhon Phanom AFB; 2 survived

10-Apr-70

RF-4C Phantom

USAF – 432TRW

65-0863

Damaged by AA in Laos, but abandoned on approach to Udorn AFB, crashed into officers quarters & dbf, Udon Thani Province; both crew survived, but 10 killed on ground

11-Apr-70

h/c (probably UH-1H H6-24/12)

Thai AF

 

Shot down in mountains in Amphoe Muang, Phetchabun Province, whilst on rescue mission for T-6 below; 3 killed, 5 seriously injured

11-Apr-70

North American T-6

Thai AF

 

Shot down into mountains in Phetchabun Province; 1 baled out

15-Apr-70

F-105D Thunderchief

USAF – 355TFW

61-0220

Crashed into field 14 miles north of Takhli AFB, Nakhon Sawan Province; 1 ejected

16-Apr-70

F-105G Thunderchief

USAF – 355TFW

62-4415

Crashed on runway & dbf at Takhli AFB, Nakhon Sawan Province; 2 escaped (Note: also reported as 15-Apr)

22-Apr-70

F-4D Phantom

USAF

66-8702

Crashed 14 miles south west of Udon AFB, Udon Thani Province; 2 ejected (Note: 9th US crash in Thailand in 1970)

10-May-70

F-105 Thunderchief

USAF

 

Crashed at Ban Kai, Rayong Province; 2 ejected, 2 on ground injured

10-May-70

Lockheed SR-71A

USAF – 9SRW

64-17969

Crashed near Korat (possibly related to the accident below ??)

10-May-70

???

(US)

 

Crashed near U-Tapao RTN base; type not disclosed by US authorities, speculation of new secret type

19-May-70

h/c

Thai Police

 

Crashed at Tambon Pralab, Khon Kaen Province; 2 escaped

20-May-70

T-28 Trojan

USAF – 56SOW

 

Reported lost in combat in Thailand; Capt. Donald J. Morris killed

12-Jun-70

F-4D Phantom

USAF – 8TFW

66-8770

Crashed into field at Ban Tae Yai, Muang District, Ubon Ratchatani Province, 13 miles north east of Ubon; 1 ejected, 1 killed (Note: 11th US crash in Thailand in 1970)

09-Jul-70

"4-seat h/c"

Central Security Command

 

Crashed after take off near Bantakum Road, Ban Nernsung, Amphoe Muang, Trat Province; 3 escaped

10-Jul-70

???

Thai AF

 

Crashed into field & dbf at Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani; 1 ejected

23-Jul-70

Lockheed T-33A

Thai AF

F11-3/98

Crashed into field; 2 baled out

23-Jul-70

Lockheed T-33A

Thai AF

F11-19/12

 

(3-Aug-70)

"single-engined a/c"

 

 

Wreck discovered at bottom of Soi Dao Hill, Phaisali District, Nakhon Sawan Province

21-Aug-70

F-4 Phantom

USAF

 

Ran off runway at Ubon Rathchathani AFB; 2 escaped

26-Aug-70

h/c

Thai Police

 

Crashed on landing at Narathiwat Airport; 2 escaped

late Aug-70

"Fairchild" (PC-6?)

Thai Police ?

 

Crashed in Sungai Padi District, Narathiwat Province

03-Sep-70

h/c

Thai Police

 

Crashed into field at Sungai Padi District, Narathiwat Province whilst collecting wreckage from Fairchild crash; 6 escaped

14-Sep-70

Northrop F-5A

Thai AF

Kh18-8/10 / 21258

 

16-Sep-70

???

Thai AF

 

Crashed on landing at Pathum Thani; 1 ejected

6-Oct-70

Northrop F-5A

Thai AF

Kh18-3/10 / 69161

Crashed in Khao Kor area, Lomsak District, Phetchabun Province; 1 killed; wreck found Feb-82

25-Oct-70

Sikorsky UH-34D

Royal Laotian AF

8803

Exploded & crashed at Tambon Banbun, Muang District, Phichit Province; 5 dead (ex Bu148803)

26-Oct-70

Douglas EB-66C

USAF – 388TFW

55-0384

Crashed & dbf on landing at Korat AFB, Nakhon Ratchasima Province; 6 escaped (Note: date also given as 24-Oct); (Note: based at Korat then were 388TFW with F-4E; also EC-121's & 3 Wing of Thai AF with HH-43's)

03-Nov-70

North American T-6

Thai AF

 

Crashed into field at Tambon Bangluang, Bang Len District, Nakhon Phanom Province; 1 killed, 1 seriously injured

04-Nov-70

h/c

 

 

Exploded & crashed in Nangkaew mountains, Chae Hom District, Lampang Province

15-Nov-70

F-105G Thunderchief

USAF – 388TFW

63-8311

Crashed & dbf on landing at Nakhon Phanom AFB; 2 ejected; 1 on ground seriously injured

27-Nov-70

h/c

Thai AF

 

Crashed in Kamphaeng Saen District, Nakhon Phanom Province; 5 killed

15-Dec-70

Piper Apache 150

 

HS-CHA

Reported by Colin Smith

03-Feb-71

F-4D Phantom

USAF – 432TRW

66-0263

Crashed on landing at Udorn; 2 killed

22-Feb-71

Bell UH-1H

Thai Army

 

Crashed into mountain at Doi Phachi, Tha Wang Pha District, Nan Province; 2 killed, 3 seriously injured

23-Feb-71

T-28 Trojan

Thai AF

 

Exploded in mid air over Don Muang Airport; 1 killed

27-Feb-71

F-4D Phantom

USAF – 8TFW

66-8774

Crashed at Ban Mai, Muang District, 10km north east of Ubon Ratchathani AFB; 1 killed, 1 seriously injured

01-Mar-71

???

Thai Army

 

Crashed & dbf after take off from Army Flight Training School, Lopburi; 2 killed

10-Mar-71

Douglas EB-66C

USAF – 388TFW

55-0389

Crashed on take-off from Korat AFB due to control failure; 4 escaped

26-Mar-71

"amphibious h/c"

 

 

Crashed into lake on take off from Khon Kaen; 1 killed, 2 seriously injured

20-Apr-71

Pilatus Turbo-Porter

Air America

N199X

Crashed into forest on Doi Suthep mountain, Chiang Mai Province; 3 injured

07-May-71

Douglas C-47A

Thai AW

HS-TDE ?

Crashed short of runway at Mae Hong Son airfield; 21 escaped

27-May-71

Northrop F-5A & DHC Chipmunk

Thai AF & Civil Aviation Club

Kh18-5/10 / 21236 + ??

Whilst taking off from Don Muang Airport the F-5 clipped the wing of the Chipmunk and crashed; Chipmunk badly damaged; F-5 pilot plus 4 on ground killed

29-May-71

Bell UH-1H

Thai AF

H6-18/12

Crashed on take off from Doi Inthanont mountain, Chiang Mai Province; 7 killed, 4 escaped

03-Jun-71

h/c

Thai Police

 

Crashed in Bangkapi District, Bangkok; 4 killed

03-Jun-71

DHC Chipmunk

Thai AF

 

Crashed near housing estate in Yannawa District; 1 killed

16-Jul-71

Cessna O-1

Thai Army

 

Crashed into tree during emergency landing in Muang District, Uttaradit Province; 1 killed, 1 seriously injured

23-Jul-71

DHC Caribou

USAF

 

Crashed on take off from Chiang Mai Airport; all escaped

26-Jul-71

A-1H Skyraider

USAF – 56SOW

52-139730

Dbr in landing accident at Nakhon Phanom; 1 escaped

02-Nov-71

T-28 Trojan

Thai AF - Wing 5

 

Believed crashed into sea 8km off Bang Saphan District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province; 2 missing

07-Nov-71

Douglas C-47

Thai AW

HS-TDC

Overan runway at Mae Hong Son; substantially damaged

10-Nov-71

Douglas EC-47

USAF

43-48009

Damaged on take off from Nakhon Phanom; possibly repaired

29-Dec-71

"single engined  a/c" (probably Cessna 150)

Hua Hin Flying Training Centre (CATC ?)

HS-TCX ?

Crashed into jungle at Ratchaburi; 1 escaped

29-Dec-71

Bell UH-1H

Thai Army ?

5483 ?

 

25-Jan-72

h/c

Thai Army

 

Crashed in fog near Thai AF golf course, Bang Khen District,  near Don Muang Airport; 4 killed

25-Jan-72

h/c

Thai AF

 

Crashed at Camp Taksin, Chantaburi Province; 4 injured

01-Feb-72

F-4D Phantom

USAF – 432TRW

 

Crashed on take-off from Udorn; 1 killed, 1 escaped

02-Feb-72

Douglas EB-66

USAF

 

Skidded off runway at Korat AFB, Nakhon Ratchasima Province; all escaped

02-Feb-72

F-105G Thunderchief

USAF – 388TFW

63-8284

Crashed on take off from Korat AFB, Nakhon Ratchasima Province; 1 killed, 1 escaped

03-Feb-72

T-28 Trojan

USAF – 56SOW

 

Reported lost in combat in Thailand; Capt. James J. Crawford & Capt. Donald W. Lowe killed

24-Feb-72

OV-10A Bronco

USAF – 504TASG

67-14620

Crashed on take-off from Nakhon Phanom following engine failure; 1 escaped

02-Mar-72

Bell UH-1H

Thai AF

H6-1/11

 

12-Mar-72

F-105G Thunderchief

USAF

63-8327

Crashed in jungle in 45m south of Korat AFB, in Khon Buri District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province; wreck found Aug-73

15-Mar-72

Lockheed T-33A

Thai AF

F11-22/13

Crashed on landing at Don Muang

23-Mar-72

A-1H Skyraider

USAF

52-137622

Crashed in Thailand following engine failure; 1 escaped

30-Mar-72

Bell UH-1H

Thai Army (Thai AF ?)

6166 (H6-14/12 ?)

Crashed at Sena Narong Army Camp, Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province; 1 killed, 5 injured

04-Apr-72

QU-22B Bonanza

USAF – 56SOW

69-7700

Crashed in Thailand following engine failure; 1 escaped

22-Apr-72

QU-22B Bonanza

USAF – 56SOW

67-1548

Crashed in Thailand following engine failure; 1 escaped

08-May-72

T-28 Trojan

Thai AF

 

Crashed into field on landing at Chiang Rai Airport & dbf

10-May-72

Fairchild AU-23A

Thai AF

21309

W/o due to in-flight engine failure at Eglin AFB, Fl.

17-May-72

F-105G Thunderchief

USAF – 23TFW

63-8347

Tyre blew out whilst landing overweight at Korat AFB; 2 escaped

31-May-72

F-4 Phantom

USAF – 31TFW

 

Crashed 12 miles from Udon, Udon Thani Province due to SAM damage; 2 ejected (Note: also reported as 1-Jun)

06-Jun-72

Lockheed RT-33A

Thai AF

TF11-6/10

Exploded in mid air over Samut Sakhon province

18-Jun-72

Cessna A-37B

USAF – 377ABW

69-6349

Crashed in Thailand; 1 escaped

Jul-72 ?

Bell UH-1H

Thai Army

6423

 

05-Jul-72

Cessna O-1

Thai Army

 

Crashed into sea 5 miles off Chonburi; 2 killed, 1 escaped

05-Jul-72

Douglas DC-3 & Lockheed T-33A

??????  &  Thai AF

??? & F11-16/12

T-33 hit wing of DC-3 in a mid air collision over Don Muang Airport; both landed safely

07-Jul-72

F-4D Phantom

USAF – 8TFW

65-0800

Crashed into field 5km from Ubon Ratchathani AFB whilst attempting to land in heavy rainstorm; 2 killed (Note: also reported as 6-Jul)

08-Jul-72

F-4E Phantom

USAF – 366TFW

69-7563

Hit by AAM over Vietnam; aircraft abandoned north of Udorn; 2 survived

10-Jul-72

F-4D Phantom

USAF – 8TFW

66-7707

Crashed on take-off from Ubon following tyre blow out; 2 survived

12-Jul-72

Bell OH-13

Thai Army

6228

Crashed

30-Jul-72

F-4D Phantom

USAF – 8TFW

66-0274

Crashed on landing at Ubon AFB; 2  survived

30-Jul-72

Boeing B-52D

USAF - 307SW

55-0677

Crashed at At Samat District, Roi Et Province, 65 miles north west of Ubon after lightning strike knocked out instruments; left wing also reported to have caught fire; 5 killed, 1 escaped

early Aug-72

h/c

Thai AF

 

Shot down over Phuphan mountains, Kalasin Province; 4 killed, 8 escaped

11-Aug-72

F-4D Phantom

USAF – 8TFW

66-0281

Crashed on take off from Ubon AFB; 2 killed (Note: also reported as 10-Aug)

25-Aug-72

QU-22B Bonanza

USAF – 56SOW

70-1546

Crashed on take-off from Nakhon Phanom after engine failure; 1 survived

28-Aug-72

Bell UH-1H

Thai Army

15658

Crashed & dbf in a plantation in Pak Thor District, Ratchaburi Province; 13 killed

17-Sep-72

F-4D Phantom

USAF – 35TFW

65-0593

Crashed on landing at Ubon following systems failure; 2 survived

22-Sep-72

F-4E Phantom

USAF – 388TFW

67-0385

Crashed on landing at Korat AFB during a thunderstorm; 2 survived

15-Oct-72

Boeing B-52D

USAF - 43SW

55-0097