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The propeller plane was flying regular passengers from the capital to a northern
2014 Event

May 17

Plane Crashes in Northern Laos: All 17 Aboard Killed

The propeller plane was flying regular passengers from the capital to a northern province when it slammed into a mountain ridge just short of Pakse Airport. All 17 aboard died—49 passengers and crew from the Thai operator Lao Airlines, traveling what should've been a routine domestic hop. Weather reports showed heavy monsoon conditions that October morning. The ATR-72 turboprop had been attempting its approach in dense rain and fog. It was Laos's deadliest air disaster in years, exposing how vulnerable Southeast Asia's smaller carriers remained on short mountain routes where instrument landing systems didn't exist.

May 17, 2014

12 years ago

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