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1965 Hong Kong USMC KC-130F crash

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1965 Hong Kong USMC KC-130F crash
A similar US Marine Corps KC-130F 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
Occupants71
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 the 71 people on board the aircraft on August 24, 1965.

The accident

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The accident began after the aircraft, a USMC Lockheed KC-130F Hercules (Bu.No.149802), veered to the 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

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The cause of the accident was attributed to a partial failure of the number one engine during the plane's take-off from the runway.[1]

References

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