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Lao Airlines ATR 72-600 plane crash

Pakse, Laos
Lao Airlines ATR 72-600 plane crash - Pakse, Laos

Key facts

Airline
Lao Airlines
Flight number
QV-301
Aircraft
ATR 72-600
Location
Pakse, Laos
Date
16th October, 2013
People on board
49
Fatalities
49

Updated on

Accident account

The ATR-72-600 operated by Lao Airlines took off from Vientiane, Laos for a passenger flight to Pakse, Laos. 44 passengers and 5 crew were onboard. The plane crashed in poor weather conditions seconds after it had gone around at Pakse airport. All 49 occupants of the aircraft are confirmed perished in the accident.

The flight was delayed due to Tropical storm Nari battering the southern and central provinces. It finally took off to its destination. The ATR 72 was on approach to Pakse's runway 15 in poor weather conditions. The plane went around and attempted a right turn to join downwind for another approach. During the maneuver, the aircraft crashed in the Mekong River.

A ground witness described the aircraft nose suddenly rose, then the aircraft came down. Then the fuselage broke and sank in the river.

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Accident location

The aircraft (ATR 72-600)

Aircraft similar to the one which crashed (ATR 72-600)
Aircraft similar to the one which crashed (ATR 72-600)