Rattler/Firebird Association

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 17 Oct 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 613
Accident case number: 691017231
Unit: D/3/4 CAV
The station for this helicopter was Cu Chi in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 650
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 MEADE R
P O3 TOCCO PA

Accident Summary:

Aircraft departed Cu Chi Base Camp, RVN, at approximately 1730 hours, 17 OCT 69, enroute to FSB Hampton. Shortly after departing runway 22 the controller in the tower asked them which way they would breaking on departing traffic. The aircraft commander replied they would be breaking right. The controller approved the right break and requested they expedite as there was a C-123 on runway 22 for departure. WO Meade replied he would go level. The C-123 at this time called for departure clearance and was cleared for takeoff on runway 22, being advised his traffic was a UH-1H crossing the extended center line to low level flight approximately one mile from the end of runway 22, outside the perimeter of Cu Chi base camp, cross the extended center line and proceed in a westerly direction. The aircraft was approximately 100 meters southwest of the runway extended center line still heading in a westerly direction when the C-123 started his initial roll for departure. The helicopter was out of the controllers sight approximately three fourths of a mile southwest of Cu Chi base camp, when the C-123 reached the area where the helicopter had crossed earlier. WO Meade continued in a westerly direction approximately 10 feet above the trees. At this time in the evening the sun is rather low in the western horizon and therefore was shinning directly in the eyes of the aviators. When WO Meade felt he was sufficiently clear of Cu Chi traffic, he started a climb back to his altitude. At this time he saw a small tree in his flight path which was protruding above the rest of the trees. He did not see this tree earlier due to the limited visibility caused by the glare of the sun. He attempted to avoid the tree by pulling aft and left cyclic. He hit the tree in a nose high attitude and after observing his instruments and checking the controls, determined the aircraft to be flyable. WO Meade then called Cu Chi tower and informed them of his tree strike and requested runway 04 for landing.

Date: 28 Mar 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 708
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
This was a Logistics Support mission for Resupply
While in Operations Area this helicopter was on the Ground at 0000 feet and 000 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 4 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (5.6MM, 7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Left Side
Systems damaged were: OIL SYS, DRIVESHAFT, FUEL SYS
The helicopter Continued Flight. Aircraft took off, fully flight capable.
The aircraft was diverted or delayed after completing some mission objectives.
Ultimate precautionary landing
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: BDART, 01603 (Battle Damage Assessment and Reporting Team Report.)

Date: 17 May 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 875
Unit: 71 AHC
South Vietnam
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report.)
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
AC WO1 MCCARRAGHER JAMES C RES
CE SPARKS CHARLEY RES

Aircraft Assignment History