23 March 1967 - 4th MAS and 62nd MAW at Da Nang, RVN
Maj Harold L. Hale P
Capt Max P. Starke P
Capt Leroy E. Leonard N
SSgt Alanson G. Bynum FE
SSgt Alfred Funck FE
23 March 1967 – The worst ground aviation accident of the Vietnam War occurred at Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam when a traffic controller cleared USMC Grumman A-6A Intruder, BuNo 152608, of VMA(AW)-242, MAG-11, for takeoff but also cleared USAF Lockheed C-141A-LM Starlifter, 65-9407, of the 62nd Military Airlift Wing, McChord AFB, Washington, to cross the runway.
The A-6 crew saw the Starlifter at the last moment, veered off the runway to tried to avoid it, but its port wing sliced through the C-141’s nose, which immediately caught fire. A load of 72 acetylene gas cylinders ignited and caused a tremendous explosion. The loadmaster escaped through the rear hatch.