Factual error: Pandas do not roam in Southeast Asian jungles. (00:50:10)
Factual error: The rocket that little Tran fired at the helicopter towards the climax travels much too slowly. Peck would not have had time to react to it if it moved at a proper speed, much less throw a heavy mechanical device through the air to intercept.
Factual error: In the helicopter scene at the end of the movie, after the RPG is launched at the Huey Helicopter, Danny McBride pulls back violently on the cyclic stick between his legs to avoid the rocket, but instead of moving backwards, the helicopter ascends in altitude, which would only happen when the pilot pulls up on the collective stick, located on his left. Pulling back on the cyclic with that amount of force would have certainly caused the helicopter to crash into the trees located behind the aircraft.
Answer: There were 3 other survivors. Only they presumably told the truth. Since Four Leafs made up his version, his more than likely seemed more entertaining. So his book was chosen to be made into a movie.
Carl Missouri