An Antonov 74TK-300 similar to the accident aircraft
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Date | 17 May 2014 |
Summary | Under investigation |
Site | Baan Nadi, Xiangkhouang Province |
Fatalities | 16 |
Survivors | 1 |
Aircraft type | Antonov 74TK-300 |
Operator | Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force |
Registration | RDPL-34020 |
Flight origin | Wattay International Airport, Vientiane |
Destination | Xieng Khouang Airport, Phonsavan |
On 17 May 2014, an Antonov An-74 airplane of the Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force crashed in northern Laos while en route to Xiangkhouang Province. The crash occurred around 6:30 am (IC T); 16 people died, including several Laotian statesmen.
The Ukrainian-built Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force Antonov An-74TK-300, registered as RDPL-34020, was carrying top officials in transit to attend a ceremony celebrating the 55th anniversary of the second division of the Lao People's Army. Included in the casualties were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Douangchay Phichit and Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, Cheuang Sombounkhanh. In addition to the defense minister, the Minister of Public Security, the mayor of Vientiane, the deputy Minister of Cultural Affairs, and other officials were on the plane.
Between 6:15 and 07:00, local time on 17 May 2014, 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) or 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) from the destination in Xiang Khouang, the Xieng Khouang Airport, the aircraft crashed in Nadee, Xiang Khouang, 500 kilometres (310 mi) from where it left in Vientiane at the Vientiane-Wattay Airport. The aircraft was too low on final approach, and its landing gear clipped some trees just short of the runway, resulting in the crash, which was attributed to a technical error.
It is the second deadliest accident in Laos' history, after Lao Airlines Flight 301, which crashed in October 2013.