Rattler/Firebird Guestbook

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 22 Sep 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,056
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
for Troop Insertation
While in Operations Area this helicopter was on Take-Off at UNK feet and 070 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 11 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit
Systems damaged were: MAIN ROTOR SYS, PERSONNEL, TRANSMISSION
Casualties = 01 WIA . .
The helicopter made a Forced Landing. Aircraft is later recovered by any means other than its own power.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: BDART, 00094 (Battle Damage Assessment and Reporting Team Report. )

Date: 02 Aug 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,220
Accident case number: 700802041
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 6000
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 VENEMAN JD
P W1 ARNO GD
CE E4 MADDEN JH
G E3 ARCHER RP

Accident Summary:

AC executing a verticle descent to field location misjudged clearance resulting in main rotor blades striking a small tree sustaining damage to both rotor blades. AC flew acft back to home station without further damage.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 19 Mar 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 292
Accident case number: 690319221
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 1800
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 LARD WR

Accident Summary:

Acft was on emerg med evac when the M/R blade struck a tree that was hidden by vines the M/R blade was dmg 5 in from tip

Date: 08 Dec 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 862
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
This was a Logistics Support mission for Resupply
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0050 feet and 110 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 2 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Left Side
Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS, POWER TRAIN
The helicopter Continued Flight. Aircraft is later recovered by any means other than its own power.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Ultimate forced landing
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: BDART, 00254 (Battle Damage Assessment and Reporting Team Report.)

Date: 19 Apr 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,245
Unit: 71 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BT155005
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

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

No records found.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

No records found.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 16 Jul 1968
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 117
Accident case number: 680716011
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 3000
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC O2 HOLIFIELD R
P O2 ERICSON GL

Accident Summary:

The main rotor blades struck a tree on approach into a confined LZ.

This record was last updated on 04/16/97

Date: 11 Jan 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,216
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
This was a Logistics Support mission for Resupply
While on Landing Zone this helicopter was on Take-Off at 0050 feet and 110 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)
The helicopter was hit in the Main Rotor Blade System causing Spalling.
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL, MAIN ROTOR SYS, FLT CONTROLS
Casualties = 01 WIA . .
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft was diverted or delayed after completing some mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: BDART, 00576 (Battle Damage Assessment and Reporting Team Report.)

Date: 22 Apr 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,525
Accident case number: 700422091
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 1075
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC O3 CALLAHAN MD
P O3 KUSMONT MJ

Accident Summary:

Acft yawed left at 300 ft AGL & 70 kts. AC stated eng failed. Acft was autorotated & landed with icdt dmg. \ fuel control failed

Date: 14 Jul 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,879
Accident case number: 700714151
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 2936
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 OLSON RW
P O2 RASCH RN
CE E4 GLASEE JR
G E4 DICE DD

Accident Summary:

Aircraft at operating RPM on POL pad when another aircraft hovered close by causing FOD to blow up striking main rotor blade resulting in minor damage.

Date: 08 Aug 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,991
Accident case number: 700808181
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 2106
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC O2 STANAT C
P O2 BECKER JC
CE E5 PARR GE
G E4 LONG FD

Accident Summary:

Aircraft while hovering in field LZ when two ARVN soldiers jumped off the acft at the same time on the same side causing acft to rock back and tail rotor striking a tree stump. Acft was flown back to home station for repairs.

Date: 11 Nov 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 3,191
Accident case number: 701111121
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 775
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W2 GARRETT KS

Accident Summary:

Aircraft, while flying straight and level at 50 feet and 110 knots airspeed, The engine failed. the AC completed a successful autorotation to a rice paddy with incident damage. The acft was recovered and looked back to home station.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 03 Mar 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,034
Accident case number: 690303301
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 2000
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 SCHULTS JB

Accident Summary:

While ldg on pad used by CH-47 the rotor downwind caused windsock to be pulled into rotor disc the pole holding the windsock was struck by blade causing crack in leading edge.

Date: 05 Jun 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,433
Accident case number: 690605031
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 4303
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 GOEBEL R

Accident Summary:

Plt was on people sniffer msn at low level tail struck tree while topping a rise inc dam

Date: 08 Jan 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,047
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
for Command and Control
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0100 feet and 055 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 3 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Main Rotor Blade System
Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS, MAIN ROTOR SYS
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: BDART, 00569 (Battle Damage Assessment and Reporting Team Report. )

Date: 05 Aug 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,788
Unit: 71 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: YC845005
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

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 27 Sep 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,677
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
for Troop Extraction
While on Landing Zone this helicopter was on Take-Off at 0050 feet and 025 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 3 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Left Side
Systems damaged were: FLT CONTROLS
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: BDART, 00118 (Battle Damage Assessment and Reporting Team Report.)

Date: 21 Nov 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,819
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
for Command and Control
While on Landing Zone this helicopter was Landing at 0002 feet and 000 knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BT088319
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive charges. (RPG)
causing a Fire.
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 03 INJ . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Burned
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: OPERA, LNNF, CASRP, CRAFX (Operations Report. Lindenmuth New Format Data Base. Crash Facts Message. Casualty Report.)
Loss to Inventory

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

No records found.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 28 Sep 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,453
Accident case number: 690928121 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: A/4 AVN 4 INF
The station for this helicopter was Pleiku in South Vietnam
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 3 . . Passengers = 0
costing 244345
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Army Aviation Safety Center database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
AC O2 DENNIG JL
P W1 RUHLMAN DL
CE E4 ROBERGE MP
G E3 NORRID BR

Accident Summary:

On 28 September 1969 at approximately 1830 hours, CO A, 4th Aviation Battalion dispatched a UH-1H, 67-17517 on an evening base camp visual reconnaissance. The aircraft was preflighted by LT Dennig, the aircraft commander. Since the aircraft had been flown five hours previous to this flight the oil levels and general appearance had last been checked at approximately 0700 hours 28 September 1969 by SP4 Roberge, the crew chief. The visual reconnaissance was being conducted in the Black Sector of the base camp outer perimeter. The mission proceeded according to plan for about thirty minutes when the aircraft began a yawing motion left and right. At this time, the aircraft was in about a 20 degree left bank at an altitude of 150 feet above ground level and had an airspeed of 85 knots. Amid these apparent power surges the aircraft commander noted that the master caution light came on and he immediately entered procedures for a low level autorotation. The aircraft commander subsequently initiated a deceleration with aft cyclic application with negligible control response. Moreover, the pitch pull produced no noticeable effect. The aircraft struck a rice paddy in a right nose low attitude at approximately 1900 hrs. The aircraft skidded 60 feet from the point of impact severing the tail boom and rotor head from the airframe. The coordinates of the point of impact were ar 842432. All members of the crew exited the aircraft safely. They unmounted the right side M-60 machine gun and fired it into the air hoping that someone would see the tracers. They also fired pen gun flares which were sighted by a passing OH-6A and UH-1H. The OH-6A evacuated the door gunner, PFC Norrid, who sustained a minor foot injury to 71st Evacuation Hospital at Pleiku about 10 miles form the incident. The aircraft commander, pilot and remainder of crew and passengers were evacuated to Camp Enari by the UH-1H.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 03 Jan 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 883
Accident case number: 690103021
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 440
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
P O2 IRWIN RJ

Accident Summary:

Partial power loss was experienced during climb out. Acft entered autorotation. Complete eng failure occurred during touchdown.

Date: 08 Apr 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,051
Accident case number: 690408111
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 786
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 BAILEY RE

Accident Summary:

Pilot made approach to pad with excessive speed. When flair wasinitiated to stop acft, tail stinger struck grnd and broke off causing dmg to one tail rotor blade.

Date: 12 Jul 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,335
Accident case number: 690712061
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 450
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 BAILEY RE

Accident Summary:

In flt loud noise was heard & acft entered auto. Grinding noisewas heard during auto. Acft lnd in rice paddy bending skids \ fod restricted airflow in eng

Date: 29 Jan 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,933
Accident case number: 700129021
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 2936
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 LANG NE

Accident Summary:

Driver of jeep with ship antenna drove near acft which was shutting down & allowed M/R blades to strike antenna.

Date: 17 May 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,274
Unit: 71 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: AT890267
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

Aircraft Assignment History