Vietnam Airlines Flight 815

Vietnam Airlines Flight 815
Immediate aftermath of the crash
Accident
Date3 September 1997 (1997-09-03)
SummaryControlled flight into terrain during approach
SiteNear Pochentong International Airport, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
11°32′47″N 104°50′38″E / 11.5464°N 104.8440°E / 11.5464; 104.8440
Aircraft

VN-A120, the aircraft involved in the accident, in May 1997
Aircraft typeTupolev Tu-134B-3
OperatorVietnam Airlines
IATA flight No.VN815
ICAO flight No.HVN815
Call signVIETNAM AIRLINES 815
RegistrationVN-A120
Flight originTan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
DestinationPochentong International Airport, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Occupants66
Passengers60
Crew6
Fatalities65
Injuries1
Survivors1

Vietnam Airlines Flight 815 was a scheduled Vietnam Airlines flight which crashed on final approach to Pochentong International Airport in Cambodia on 3 September 1997. The Soviet-built Tupolev Tu-134B-3 airliner crashed approximately 800 metres (2,600 ft; 870 yd) short of the Phnom Penh runway, killing 65 of the 66 people on board. As of February 2024, it remains the deadliest accident in Cambodian history. Upon investigation, the crash was determined to have been the result of improper actions by the pilot.

As of December 2023, the route between Tan Son Nhat and Phnom Penh has the flight number VN920 and is usually operated with Airbus A321 aircraft. Flight 815 nowadays is designated to a route between Tan Son Nhat and Siem Reap, also operated using Airbus A321 aircraft.