Rattler/Firebird Guestbook

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

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 04 Jul 1967
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 29
Accident case number: 670704011
Unit: 388 TC CO
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 4 . . Passengers = 0
costing 49201
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
P W1 SCARBROUGH CA
CP W1 JETER LJ
CE E4 POYNER WJ
G E3 CAVANAUGH RF

Accident Summary:

The aircraft picked up to a hover and started take off. The aircraft fell and rolled right, striking the ground.

Date: 03 Jun 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 518
Accident case number: 690603081
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 ALEXANDER BK

Accident Summary:

ACFT WAS STARTING WHEN GUST OF WIND 15-20 KNOTS CAUGHT M/R BLADE CAUSING IT TO FLEX DOWN & CUT T/R SHAFT ICDT DAM

Date: 10 Jun 1969
Description:
Accident case number: 690610081
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 1 . . Passengers = 1
costing 3300
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 SCHULTZ JB
P CAPT WEBB
CE SP5 MAY, J
G SP4 BROOKS, S

Passengers:
UNK NO NAME, UNK, D;


Accident Summary:

Acft sitting on gnd unloading cargo when an infantryman walked into T/R icdt dam

Date: 17 Oct 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 925
Accident case number: 691017241
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 27696
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 WATERBURY JA
P O2 ROMERO WD
CE E4 KOTECKI G

Accident Summary:

Aircraft completed mission for the day after flying almost 8 hours. The aircraft commander refueled the aircraft at the POL dispensing point located near the 71st AHC flight line. Upon completeion of the refueling operation, WO Waterbury hovered the aircraft along the taxiway and landed in an open area to facilitate unloading the equipment on the aircraft. During the unloading, PFC Sylvester noticed fuel coming from the underside of the aircraft and relayed the information to WO Waterbury. WO Waterbury notified maintenance personnel by radio and was advised to move the aircraft to the maintenance revetment at the extreme end of the flight line. WO Waterbury landed at the revetment where he was asked by the platoon sergeant, after exiting the aircraft, to move the aircraft to the defueling point. SGT Boyer acted as ground guide and signaled the aircraft to hover to the right, away from the obstacles. After the aircraft gained what was considered sufficient clearance, SGT Boyer signaled the aircraft commander to accomplish a 90 deg turn to the right. WO Waterbury initiated the turn after receiving clearance from the crew engineer, SP4 Kotecki. During the turn, the aircraft tail rotor struck a conex containers causing the tail rotor and 90 deg gear box to separate from the tail boom pylon. WO Waterbury executed a hovering autorotation. The aircraft landed hard after a 90 deg turn to the right following the contact with the conex container. There were no injuries.

Date: 23 Jun 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,731
Accident case number: 700623151
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 19350
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC O2 PRATT TV
P W1 IRBY WL

Accident Summary:

Acft ldg in fld LZ remaining light on skids. A/C pulled power and rotor wash caused a dead tree to fall into end M/R blades.

Date: 07 Jul 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,868
Accident case number: 700707171
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 295
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 OLSON RW
P W2 WETHEFORD JL
CE E4 SNIDER GL
G E4 NUNEZ JP

Accident Summary:

On short final a box of debris flew up into tail rotor with a sharp object hitting leading edge of tail rotor causing incident damage. Aircraft flown to Chu Lai.

Date: 09 Jan 1971
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,357
Accident case number: 710109041
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 625
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 ALBRICK EJ

Accident Summary:

On short final to lz at 2750 feet and 25 knots, descent of aircraft became sharp due to down draft. The A/C pulled in 45 lbs of torque and tried to cushion the ship in. The aircraft impacted and bounded three times in the LZ termination up-right. Resulting in damage to the skids and cross tubes.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 31 Jul 1967
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1
Accident case number: 670731041
Unit: USARV FLT DET
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 470
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC O2 MAURER CJ

Accident Summary:

Picked up to hover and hit revetment with stinger and tail boom.

Date: 22 Sep 1967
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1
Unit: BELL HCPTR
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED
for Air/land Assault , Hot Area.
Unknown this helicopter was Landing at 0010 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 Cockpit
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL, HYDRAULIC SYS
Casualties = YES . .
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, 73733 ()

Date: 04 Jan 1968
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1
Unit: ARADMAC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO THEATER
for Troop Extraction , Hot Area.
While in PickUp Zone this helicopter was on the Ground at 0000 feet and 000 knots.
Cambodia
Helicopter took 13 hits from:
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive charges. (81MM RR, 7.62MM,)
The helicopter was hit in the Left Side causing Fragmentation Damage.
Systems damaged were: ENGINE, LDG GEAR, PERSONNEL, STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS, ELECTRICAL SYS, TAIL ROTOR
Casualties = 02 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: LNNF, DYNAL, FM232, CRAFX (Lindenmuth New Format Data Base. Crash Facts Message. )

Date: 30 Apr 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 369
Accident case number: 690430221
Unit: 283 MED DET
The station for this helicopter was Qui Nhon in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 2780
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
P W1 WILLETT AL
IP O4 SPRUIELL JB

Accident Summary:

On 30 April 1969, at approximately 0900, Major Spruiell (IP), WO1 Allen Willett (pilot), and crew departed the 283rd and proceeded to the Holloway Hover and Transition Area to complete an aircraft commander check ride. They landed at approximately 0910 hours and put the crew off to stand by with a fire extinguisher. Major Spruiell demonstrated the first straight-in autorotation to Mr. Willett. he noticed that the aircraft terminated its ground slides shorter than what was expected. Mr. Willett then performed the second autorotation. Major Spruiell said that it was an excellent autorotation. the aircraft touched down level, did not hit hard, and did not bounce. From the initial touchdown point the skid marks were continuous along the ground, about 15-20 feet in length. As the aircraft was terminating its ground slide and losing momentum, it seemed the clay surface stopped the slide abruptly. As a result, the crosstubes rotated in the belly attaching point, snapping the bracer at the skid attaching points and the aircraft settled gently to the ground, upright, on its belly. This happened at approximately 0925 hours. Length and depth of skid marks indicated that this was a normal autorotation.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 09 Jan 1968
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 288
Unit: C/7/17 CAV
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
for Close Air Support
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0200 feet and 080 knots.
Unknown
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 Passenger Cargo Section
Systems damaged were: UNK
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: UH1P3, 00906 ()

Date: 03 Dec 1968
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 989
Accident case number: 681203051
Unit: F/8 CAV
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 1 . . Passengers = 0
costing 5555
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC O2 SHIMOKAWA HT
P O2 WYATT JW
G E4 GABRAL S

Accident Summary:

Acft on gnd when gunner left acft & walked into T/R.

Date: 12 Feb 1971
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,347
Accident case number: 710212021
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 W2 MAURER HF

Accident Summary:

The aircraft was taking-off from a tightly confined LZ and was hovering backwards when the main rotor blade struck a tall tree on the side of a hill.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 28 Jan 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,261
Accident case number: 690128161
Unit: B/101 AVN
The station for this helicopter was Camp Eagle 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 HEINZE CR

Accident Summary:

While performing mission with hostile fire area, Acft was not able to compensate for change in center of gravity of acft as troops boarded acft resulting in incidental damage to M/R blades.

Date: 31 Oct 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,222
Accident case number: 701031111
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:
P W1 MABE KL

Accident Summary:

While on a tactical emergency re-supply mission to LZ Mary Ann, pilot was flying low level because of weather. Pilot banked the aircraft hard to the left to avoid an obstruction in the flight path which could not be seen because of poor visibility. While the aircraft was in a left bank, the main rotor made contact with the top of a dead tree. Pilot flew aircraft on to Tam Ky for inspecton. After inspection aircraft was flown back to Chu Lai for main rotor blade change.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 13 May 1971
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,800
Accident case number: 710513051
Unit: 48 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Da Nang in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 6
costing 2118
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
P O2 SMITH PB
CP W1 HOLDRIDGE MR
CE E5 HEWITT FE
G E4 MILLER RL

Passengers:
, PAX, G; , PAX, G; , PAX, G; , PAX, G; , PAX, G; , PAX, G;


Accident Summary:

Aircraft 66-1085 had been doing routine resupply missions all morning for the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. They had refueled and returned on station, when they were instructed to pick up 6 U.S. Passengers on hill 350. The time was approximately 0915 and a low cloud cover prevented landing at that time. After circling for approximately 25 minutes it was possible to make a landing. The top pad at hill 350 was big enough to land one helicopter. On the northwest and south sides were very steep slopes. Other obstacles around the pad included conexes and a water trailer. Six U.S. Passengers without field gear were loaded onto the aircraft. 1LT Smith, the pilot, told the co-pilot to execute a good hover check before take-off. Fuel load at this time was 800-900 pounds. Wind was not a factor, since weather reports gave surface winds at 3 knots. As the co-pilot picked up to a hover, the aircraft began to spin to the right. The co-pilot pushed left pedal to the stop with no apparent effect. The pilot took the aircraft and yelled for the co-pilot to release the controls, which he did not hear. Due to the co-pilots extremely tight grip on the throttle the pilot was unable to roll off throttle and execute a hovering autorotation. The pilot did the only other logical procedure and that was to put the aircraft down hard enough to stop the spin. The aircraft was moving extremely close to the edge of the cliff and the tail boom was in danger of hitting a water trailer. When the aircraft hit hard, the impact bent the skids. The pilot told the co-pilot to shut down the aircraft while he got out and inspected the damage. The aircraft had come to rest very close to the edge of the cliff with the tail boom very near to striking the water trailer.

Aircraft Assignment History

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 14 Feb 1971
Description:
Accident case number: 710214041
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 5555
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W2 MAURER HF

Accident Summary:

The aircraft was in hover type LZ extracting 6 LRRP's. When the LRRP's boarded the aircraft the aircraft bobbled causing the main rotor blade to strike a tree.

Aircraft Assignment History