Détails:
The Lockheed C-5A Galaxy (68-0218) was engaged in Operation Babylift, a mission to bring Vietnamese orphans to the US in the few remaining days before the Republic of Vietnam fell. The C-5 departed Saigon-Tan Son Nhut Airport at 16:03. Twelve minutes after takeoff, after climbing through FL230, there was what seemed to be an explosion as the lower rear fuselage was torn apart. The locks of the rear loading ramp had failed, causing the door to open and separate. A rapid decompression occurred. Control and trim cables to the rudder and elevators were severed, leaving only one aileron and wing spoilers operating. Two of the four hydraulic systems were out. The crew wrestled at the controls, managing to keep control of the plane with changes in power settings by using the one working aileron and wing spoilers. The crew descended to an altitude of 4,000 feet on a heading of 310 degrees in preparation for landing on Tan Son Nhut's runway 25L. About halfway through a turn to final approach, the rate of descent increased rapidly to 4,000 feet per minute. Seeing they couldn't make the runway, full power was applied to bring the nose up. At 50 feet, the throttles where retarded to idle and the C-5 touched down in a rice paddy. Skidding about 1,000 feet, the aircraft again became airborne for a half mile before hitting a dike and breaking into four parts. The cargo compartment with 149 orphans and attendants was completely destroyed. Only three of 152 in the troop compartment perished. In total 138 of the 314 occupants died in the accident.
» Air Force Magazine, Aug. 1991
accident date: 04-04-1975
type: Lockheed C-5A Galaxy
registration: 68-0218
| Statuts: | |
| Date: | vendredi 4 avril 1975 |
| Heure: | 16:30 |
| Type/Sous-type: |  Lockheed C-5A Galaxy |
| Compagnie: | United States Air Force - USAF |
| Immatriculation: | 68-0218 |
| Numéro de série: | 500-0021 |
| Année de Fabrication: | |
| Moteurs: | 4 General Electric TF39 |
| Equipage: | victimes: 11 / à bord: 29 |
| Passagers: | victimes: 127 / à bord: 285 |
| Total: | victimes: 138 / à bord: 314 |
| Dégats de l'appareil: | Détruit |
| Conséquences: | Written off (damaged beyond repair) |
| Lieu de l'accident: | 4 km (2.5 milles) NE of Saigon-Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) ( Vietnam)
|
| Phase de vol: | En vol (ENR) |
| Nature: | Militaire |
| Aéroport de départ: | Saigon-Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN/VVTS), Vietnam |
| Angeles City-Clark Air Base (CRK/RPMK), Philippines |
The Lockheed C-5A Galaxy (68-0218) was engaged in Operation Babylift, a mission to bring Vietnamese orphans to the US in the few remaining days before the Republic of Vietnam fell. The C-5 departed Saigon-Tan Son Nhut Airport at 16:03. Twelve minutes after takeoff, after climbing through FL230, there was what seemed to be an explosion as the lower rear fuselage was torn apart. The locks of the rear loading ramp had failed, causing the door to open and separate. A rapid decompression occurred. Control and trim cables to the rudder and elevators were severed, leaving only one aileron and wing spoilers operating. Two of the four hydraulic systems were out. The crew wrestled at the controls, managing to keep control of the plane with changes in power settings by using the one working aileron and wing spoilers. The crew descended to an altitude of 4,000 feet on a heading of 310 degrees in preparation for landing on Tan Son Nhut's runway 25L. About halfway through a turn to final approach, the rate of descent increased rapidly to 4,000 feet per minute. Seeing they couldn't make the runway, full power was applied to bring the nose up. At 50 feet, the throttles where retarded to idle and the C-5 touched down in a rice paddy. Skidding about 1,000 feet, the aircraft again became airborne for a half mile before hitting a dike and breaking into four parts. The cargo compartment with 149 orphans and attendants was completely destroyed. Only three of 152 in the troop compartment perished. In total 138 of the 314 occupants died in the accident.
Sources:
» Air Force Investigation report» Air Force Magazine, Aug. 1991
Photos
accident date: 04-04-1975
type: Lockheed C-5A Galaxy
registration: 68-0218
Plan
Ce plan montre l'aéroport de départ ainsi que la supposée destination du vol. La ligne fixe reliant les deux aéroports n'est pas le plan de vol exact.
La distance entre Saigon-Tan Son Nhat International Airport et Angeles City-Clark Air Base est de 1574 km (984 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
La distance entre Saigon-Tan Son Nhat International Airport et Angeles City-Clark Air Base est de 1574 km (984 miles).
Accident location: Approximate; accuracy within a few kilometers.
Les informations ci-dessus ne représentent pas l'opinion de la 'Flight Safety Foundation' ou de 'Aviation Safety Network' sur les causes de l'accident. Ces informations prélimimaires sont basées sur les faits tel qu'ils sont connus à ce jour.
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