Rattler/Firebird Guestbook

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 02 Oct 1968
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 634
Incident number: 68100202.KIA
Unit: 71 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BT479112
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 1LT WASHBURN FRED ZIMRI KIA
P WO1 SHERIN JOHN C III KIA
CE SP4 WESTER DONALD LEE KIA
G SP4 WALSH ALLAN RAY KIA

Passengers and/or other participants:
SP4 SMIDSTRA CHARLES RICHARD, AR, PX, KIA

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 24 Apr 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,514
Accident case number: 690424101
Unit: A/229 AVN
The station for this helicopter was Tay Ninh in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 3700
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W2 STAUB HK

Accident Summary:

Acft taking off from PZ when M/R blades struck tree icdt dam

Date: 07 Sep 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,904
Accident case number: 700907141
Unit: A/4 AVN 4 INF
The station for this helicopter was Pleiku in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 298
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
P O5 SHELBY JL
CP O2 JIMENEZ M
CE E3 PERSON JW
G E6 GROSSWHITE WR

Accident Summary:

Tail rotor struck a stump in LZ.

Date: 03 Jan 1971
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,951
Accident case number: 710103061
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 108954
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 WASSON TP
P W1 BEDFORD DJ
CE E4 HARTLEY CE

Accident Summary:

On 3 January 1971 about 1500 hours the pilot of aircraft 66-16817 took off from LZ West with a load of resupply for the Y63 element who were located at at 848263. The aircraft commander, Rattler 15, conteacted the Y63 elelment and called inbound and asked for smoke. Y63 element popped smoke and the aircraft commander confirmed it. The pilot flying made a high overhead into the LZ and made a good approach terminating at a hover. The LZ was a pinnacle type with elephant grass and was on a slope. Because of the wind direction and shape of the LZ the aircraft was headed into the slope upon termination. After the crew cleared the aircraft down and the toes of the skids touched down, the pilot lowered the collective rapidly causing the aircraft to rock back. The tail stinger hit the ground and bounced the aircraft up into a nose low altitude. The pilot tried to regain control of the aircraft and caused it to yaw to the right by pulling in power and not correcting for torque with pedals. The aircraft commander assumed that he had a tail rotor failure and initiated a hovering autorotation by rolling off the throttle while the aircraft was in a nose low altitude and was yawing to the right. The aircraft struck the ground causing damage to the nose and skids. The aircraft commander then shut down and he and the crew checked the entire aircraft for damage other than that to the nose and skids. After full inspection of the aircraft the aircraft commander decided that the aircraft was airworthy for a one time flight to Chu Lai. While enroute the aircraft commander decided to shut down at Hawk Hill where he called for maintenance. Maintenance looked the aircraft over, and a technical inspector decided it was airworthy and maintenance flew it back to Chu Lai. There were no injuries to the crew members and they all were wearing nomex suits in addition to other required protective gear.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 28 Sep 1967
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 16
Unit: 54 MED DET
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Rescue and Recovery mission for Medical Evacuation
Unknown this helicopter was Landing at 0100 feet and UNK 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 Passenger Cargo Section
Systems damaged were: ELECTRICAL SYS
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: UH1P2, 73782 ()

Date: 26 Nov 1967
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 101
Unit: 54 MED DET
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Rescue and Recovery mission for Medical Evacuation
Unknown this helicopter was on Take-Off at 0050 feet and 090 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 Equipment Section
Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS
The self sealing fuel tank developed a large leak.
The helicopter made a Forced Landing. Aircraft was capable of one time 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: UH1P2, 74149 ()

Date: 19 Aug 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,354
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
for Air/land Assault , Hot Area.
While on Landing Zone this helicopter was on Take-Off at UNK feet and UNK knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BT033209
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive charges. (RPG)
The helicopter was hit in the Tail Section
Systems damaged were: FLT CONTROLS, PERSONNEL
Casualties = 02 INJ . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
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

Date: 02 Jan 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 851
Accident case number: 690102071
Unit: A/4 AVN 4 INF
The station for this helicopter was An Khe in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 2722
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
P O2 WILCOX JF
CP W1 FINCH WD

Accident Summary:

Pilot went into a practice autorotation & engine failed to respond after two attempted power recoveries and then quit. Engine failure, cause not reptorted.

Date: 15 Feb 1972
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,922
Accident case number: 720215121
Unit: A/7/17 CAV
The station for this helicopter was Phan Rang Bay in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 1
costing 2000
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
P W1 DICKERSON C
CP O2 LITTLEPAGE SD

Passengers:
UNK, GG, G;


Accident Summary:

Aircraft made approach into LZ with 4 passengers on board. The LZ was sod with elephant grass. Pilot cleared by crew chief and gunner. Aircraft touched down and the bubble landed on a small stump. Right chin bubble was destroyed. Aircraft was flown back to home base for repairs.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 19 Oct 1967
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 150
Unit: 15 MED 1 CAV
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Rescue and Recovery mission for Medical Evacuation
While on Landing Zone this helicopter was on the Ground at 0000 feet and 000 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 1 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 Passenger Cargo Section
Systems damaged were: FUEL 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: UH1P2, 73924 ()

Date: 22 Sep 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,366
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 0015 feet and 020 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (12.7MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Left Side causing Spalling.
Systems damaged were: ELECTRICAL SYS, COMM SYS
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, 00075 (Battle Damage Assessment and Reporting Team Report.)

Date: 07 Sep 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,856
Accident case number: 700907061
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 7000
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 OLSON RW

Accident Summary:

Aircraft was at a 50 ft. hover above confined lz dropping off cargo when both main rotor blades made contact with a tree limb. AC flew acft back to home station without further damage.

Date: 21 Sep 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,856
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
for Air/land Assault , Hot Area.
While on Landing Zone this helicopter was on the Ground at 0000 feet and 000 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 5 hits from:
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive charges. (M-79)
The helicopter was hit in the Tail Section
Systems damaged were: ENGINE, PERSONNEL, STRUCTURE, MAIN ROTOR SYS
Casualties = 01 WIA . .
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: LNNF, JSIDR (Lindenmuth New Format Data Base. Joint Services Incident Damage Report.)

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 11 Feb 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,560
Accident case number: 690211211
Unit: 196 ASHC
The station for this helicopter was Da Nang in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 1054
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
P W1 SINCLAIR BW

Accident Summary:

While sitting in revetment with force trim on at 6600 rpm & flat pitch plt removed ft from pedals to adjust seat nose of acft swung to left causing sink elevator to hit revetment

Date: 02 Aug 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,163
Accident case number: 690802011
Unit: 192 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Ban Me Thuot in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 6036
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 SHUMATE WG

Accident Summary:

ACFT M/R BLADES STRUCK TREE WHILE HOVERING IN LZ ICDT DMG

Date: 10 Jun 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,209
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
for Troop Extraction , Hot Area.
While in PickUp Zone this helicopter was on Take-Off at 0300 feet and 080 knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: AT854193
Count of hits was not possible because the helicopter burned or exploded.
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive charges. (RPG, 7.62MM, 12.)
causing an Explosion.
Systems damaged were: ENGINE, PERSONNEL
Casualties = 01 INJ . .
The helicopter made a Forced Landing. 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, FM385, CRAFX, JSIDR (Operations Report. Lindenmuth New Format Data Base. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. Crash Facts Message. Casualty Report. )
Loss to Inventory

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 22 Sep 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,641
Incident number: 69092244.KIA
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
for Troop Insertation
While in Operations Area this helicopter was on the Ground at 0000 feet and 000 knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BT033228
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 02 KIA, 02 WIA . .
Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Destroyed by friendly forces
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: BDART, 00110 (Battle Damage Assessment and Reporting Team Report. )
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
AC WO1 ALEXANDER BARRY KENNETH KIA
G SP5 WILLIAMS JOHNNIE LEE JR KIA
This record was last updated on 11/29/98

Date: 12 May 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,035
Accident case number: 700512081
Unit: 116 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Cu Chi in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 490
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
P W1 YARBROUGH LH

Accident Summary:

On short final to one-ship LZ with trps supplies & full load of fuel plt noticed area was unsuitable for ldg & began a left pedal turn lost lift & began sinking he pulled in power to stop dexcent & at 40 lbs of torque rpm bled off he reduced pitch to regain rpm & tried to cushion acft onto gnd acft struck gnd with zero airspd bending both skids.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 15 Jun 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,291
Accident case number: 690615101
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 32665
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 BURNS JV
P W1 LANG NE
CE E4 PIEPER CE
G E3 MILLER SG

Accident Summary:

Aircraft refueled at LZ Ross. Fuel gauge read 1100 pounds. Aircraft commander and pilot remember running seven sorties which took an hour and fifteen minutes. One last sortie was run from LZ Center to LZ East. Upon touching down at LZ East the aircraft commander read the fuel gauge and said it was indicating about 350 pounds. The pilot read the fuel gauge and read 220 pounds. The pilot pushed the fuel gauge test switch. The fuel gauge dropped to zero then came back to 220 pounds. The aircraft commander made the takeoff from LZ East and proceeded to fly direct to LZ Ross. Climbout was to 2000 feet indicated and 90 knots indicated. When approaching the ridge line between LZ East and LZ Ross, the aircraft commander pulled in power and climbed to 3000 feet indicated. Still indicating 90 knots. About one mile out of LZ Ross the fuel pressure gauge began to fluctuate and dropped to zero. The engine was still running, so long final approach was continued to LZ Ross at 120 knots. About 300 meters and 200 feet from the point of intended landing, the aircraft commander stated the engine quit. The aircraft commander bottomed the collective, rolling off throttle simultaneously. Both rotor and engine tachometer were observed to go past 6000 RPM. The aircraft commander did not see the needles split. At this point the aircraft commander nosed the aircraft over in an attempt to extend his glide, making constant flaring movements in an attempt to build RPM. After the RPM had dropped to 5500 engine and 235 rotor the aircraft commander became more concerned with his landing. The pilot saw the engine and rotor RPM go down to about 4300 RPM. A flare was made to lift the aircraft over an embankment, the air craft commander pulled up on the collective in an attempt to cushion the landing. Airspeed was about 60 knots at touchdown. Aircraft landed hard, touching the tail stinger first and then the rear portion of the skids. The pilot thought the aircraft was going to flip over forward at one point and both the aircraft commander and the pilot pulled back on the cyclic. The tail came down hard and the main rotor blade struck the tail boom just in front of the 42 degree gear box severing the tail section. The aircraft travelled approximately 153 feet before coming to rest. The aircraft remained in an upright position.

Date: 01 Dec 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,844
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
for Troop Insertation
While on Landing Zone this helicopter was Landing at 0002 feet and 015 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 6 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
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, 00238 (Battle Damage Assessment and Reporting Team Report.)

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 19 Aug 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,564
Incident number: 69081999.KIA
Unit: 71 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: AT997228
Casualties = 08 DOI . .
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA, Goldfile, KIA, Rise & Fall p:290 (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
AC WO1 SILVERSTEIN GERALD LEON KIA
P WO1 PLUMMER JOHN DAVID KIA
CE PFC LAVIGNE STEWART JAMES KIA
G PFC MARTINO STEPHEN LEE KIA

Passengers:
LTC HOWARD ELI PAGE JR, AR, PX, KIA; SP4 DORIA RICHARD ALBERT, AR, PX, KIA; CSM ROWELL FRANKLIN DELANO, AR, PX, KIA; ** Associated Press, NOT, A


Note:
Unofficial sources indicate that this was the C&C helicopter from the 71st AHC that was carrying LTC Howard, the CO of 4th Battalion, 31st Inf, 196th Inf Bde, with two other soldiers and an Associated Press correspondent. The histories report that the helicopter was hit by heavy machine-gun fire, exploded in midair, and crashed

This record was last updated on 09/20/98

Date: 19 Aug 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,564
Incident number: 69081999.KIA
Unit: 71 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: AT997228
Casualties = 08 DOI . .
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA, Goldfile, KIA, Rise & Fall p:290 (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
AC WO1 SILVERSTEIN GERALD LEON KIA
P WO1 PLUMMER JOHN DAVID KIA
CE PFC LAVIGNE STEWART JAMES KIA
G PFC MARTINO STEPHEN LEE KIA

Passengers:
LTC HOWARD ELI PAGE JR, AR, PX, KIA; SP4 DORIA RICHARD ALBERT, AR, PX, KIA; CSM ROWELL FRANKLIN DELANO, AR, PX, KIA; ** Associated Press, NOT, A


Short Summary: 4/31st Inf, 196 BDE C&C hit by heavy AW fire, exploded in mid-air, crashed, all 8 on board died including AP coorespondent.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 03 Apr 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,212
Accident case number: 690403061
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 430
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 PECK WE

Accident Summary:

Landed on tree stump in unprepared LZ with incidental damage to fuel cell.

Date: 15 Nov 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,886
Unit: 71 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BT179466
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report. )

Note:
Although this helicopter was written off because of this incident, it was later rebuilt and returned to service

Date: 03 Sep 1970
Description:
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: YT532021
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