When the gunship failed to return to the base as scheduled, an aerial search was conducted beginning at first light on 16 May 1966. The search operation continued throughout the day, but failed to locate any sign of Spooky 10 or its crew. Further, no parachutes were sighted and no emergency beepers heard. At the time the formal search was terminated, all 8 Americans and the 2 ARVN aboard Spooky 10 were listed Missing in Action.

When the gunship failed to return to the base as scheduled, an aerial search was conducted beginning at first light on 16 May 1966. The search operation continued throughout the day, but failed to locate any sign of Spooky 10 or its crew. Further, no parachutes were sighted and no emergency beepers heard. At the time the formal search was terminated, all 8 Americans and the 2 ARVN aboard Spooky 10 were listed Missing in Action.