Rattler/Firebird Guestbook

Aircraft 64-14165   [E-mail]

Former: with
Call sign:

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 03 Mar 1966
Description:
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
for Close Air Support
While on Landing Zone this helicopter was in Orbit at 0050 feet and 100 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 Tail Section
Systems damaged were: STRUCTURE
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: UH1P1, 00042, JSIDR (Joint Services Incident Damage Report.)

Date: 11 Apr 1966
Description:
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Recon mission for Armed Recon
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0020 feet and 090 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: ELECTRICAL SYS, STRUCTURE, PERSONNEL
The armor protecting the personnel was effective.
Casualties = 01 WIA . .
The helicopter made a Precautionary Landing. Aircraft took off, fully flight capable.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
Aircraft inspected and found to be in flyable condition
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P1, 00093, DYNAL, JSIDR (Joint Services Incident Damage Report.)

Date: 11 May 1966
Description:
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Recon mission for Armed Escort , Ground Movement,
While Enroute this helicopter was in Bank Right at 0050 feet and 090 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 5 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
causing a Fire.
Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS, STRUCTURE, ENGINE, FLT CONTROLS, ELECTRICAL SYS, COMM SYS, PERSONNEL
The aircraft fire extinguishers were effective.
Casualties = 01 WIA . .
The helicopter made an Emergency Landing. Aircraft is later recovered by any means other than its own power.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
for 75000.00
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P1, 00162, FM48, MISC, DYNAL, STMNT (Miscellaneous.)

Date: 07 Feb 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 833
Accident case number: 700207091
Unit: 176 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 108162
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC O3 MOTHERSBAUGH RL
P W1 HERRINGTON TR
CE E5 PORTER RK
G E5 WELLS MD

Accident Summary:

A light fire team departed the 176th AHC to escort a CH-54, which was scheduled for three (3) lifts between Tam Ky and Tien Phouc. During the final escort mission, the aircraft commander of aircraft 64-14165 noticed a slight yaw to the right and simultaneously heard a "popping" noise from the area of the engine compartment. Suspecting a compressor stall, the aircraft commander took the controls and lowered the collective to reduce power. The engine continued to run rough and the torque guage indicated zero (0) pounds. Suspecting a low side governor position and attempted to increase power (throttle and collective) manually. The N1 rose from 65% to approximately 80% but began to decrease rapidly. The N2 rpm started to dissipate but the torque remained at zero (0) throughout the procedure. The aircraft commander selected a clearing secured by a few APC's for the autorotative touchdown. During the progress of the autorotation, the UH-1C was slowed to avoid the CH-54 making an approach to the same LZ. Execution of the flare at 300 feet AGL coupled with the high gross weight caused the UH-1C to develop a high vertical rate of descent. The aircraft impacted in a level attitude atop a small hill in a slightly sloped cultivated field. Upon impact the aircraft bounced and rocked forward causing the retreating blade to strike the ground. The blade strike caused the aircraft to yaw 90 degrees to the left, roll on its right side, and come to rest that position.

Aircraft Assignment History

DateUnitAreaPostCountry
66-10ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STASUPMACOM
66-11ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STASUPMACOM
66-12ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STASUPMACOM
67-01ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
67-02ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
67-03ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
67-04ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
67-05ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
67-06ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
67-07ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
67-08ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
67-09ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
67-10ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
67-11ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
67-12ARADMAC4TH ARMYNAVAL AIR STAAVCOM
68-01ARADMACIN MAINTNAVAL AIR STNAVCOM
68-02ARMY AVN DET1ST ARMYUS NAV AIR STATELECTCOM
68-03ARMY AVN DET1ST ARMYUS NAV AIR STATELECTCOM
68-04DIR SUP / TRANIN TRANSITSHARPE ADAVCOM
68-05DIR SUP / TRANIN MAINTSHARPE ADAVCOM
68-06DIR SUP / TRANIN TRANSITSHARPE ADAVCOM
68-07DIR SUP / TRANIN TRANSITSHARPE ADAVCOM
68-08DIR SUP / TRANIN MAINTSHARPE ADAVCOM
68-09DIR SUP / TRANIN MAINTSHARPE ADAVCOM
68-10DIR SUP / TRANIN MAINTSHARPE ADAVCOM
68-11DIR SUP / TRANIN TRANSITSHARPE ADAVCOM
68-1271STASLT HEL COVIETNAMRVN
69-0171STASLT HEL COVIETNAMRVN
69-0271STASLT HEL COVIETNAMRVN
69-0371STASLT HEL COVIETNAMRVN
69-04176 AVN COVIETNAMRVN
69-05176 AVN COVIETNAMRVN
69-06176 AVN COVIETNAMRVN
69-07176 AVN COVIETNAMRVN
69-08176 AVN COVIETNAMRVN
69-09176 AHC AMDVVIETNAMRVN
69-10176 AHC AMDVVIETNAMRVN
69-11176 AHC AMDVVIETNAMRVN
69-12176 AHC AMDVVIETNAMRVN
70-01176 AHC AMDVVIETNAMRVN
70-02142 TC DSVIETNAMRVN

March 19, 2024 - ,

Aircraft 66-00509   [E-mail]

Former: with
Call sign:

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 20 Aug 1966
Description:
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
for Close Air Support
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 1000 feet and UNK 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 Tail Section
Systems damaged were: STRUCTURE
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
for 5302.50
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P1, 00494, FM232 ()

Date: 15 Nov 1966
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 280
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
for Close Air Support
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 1500 feet and UNK 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)
Systems damaged were: ENGINE, STRUCTURE
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
for 171.00
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P1, 00867, FM232 ()

Date: 21 Dec 1966
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 317
Accident case number: H654
Unit: 56 TC CO
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 50000
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC HARVEY BJ
P JOHNSON EH

Accident Summary:

Engine failed at alt 500 ft alt landed in elephant grass dropped in from 2 ft landed hard

Date: 16 Apr 1967
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 385
Accident case number: 670416071 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 56 TC CO
South Vietnam
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 217679
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 O4 TOWLE TJ
CP O4 PERSHING JW
CE E4 MORGAN MR
G O1 PENDERGR SJ

Accident Summary:

The crew felt a vertical vibration in flight. The pilot reduced pitch and made a right turn to land. The AC lost directional control. The aircraft struck the ground turning to the right. Suspect in flight failure of components or parts in the main rotor system

Aircraft Assignment History

Date Unit Area Post Country
66-10 A501ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM   RVN
66-11 71STASLT HEL CO VIETNAM   RVN
66-12 56 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM   RVN
67-01 56 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM   RVN
67-02 56 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM   RVN
67-03 56 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM   RVN
67-04 56 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM   RVN
67-05 56 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM   RVN

March 19, 2024 - ,

Aircraft 66-00496   [E-mail]

Former: with
Call sign:

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 18 Aug 1966
Description:
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Recon mission for Armed Escort , Other Aircraft.
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0200 feet and 100 knots.
Cambodia
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 Cockpit
Systems damaged were: STRUCTURE
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
for 87.50
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P1, 00492, FM232, JSIDR (Joint Services Incident Damage Report. )

Date: 27 Aug 1966
Description:
Incident number: G758ACD Accident case number: G758
Unit: A/501 AVN
South Vietnam
Number killed in accident = 4 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 241950
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:
P CW2 PERKINS WILLIAM DEWITT JR KIA
AC WO1 BANKS ROBERT LEE KIA
G SSG HOWELL RANDALL DUMON KIA
CE SP4 RUNNELLS EVERETT PORTER KIA

Accident Summary:

Burning aircraft sighted from air after impact. Investigation revealed non-standard bolts and nuts for installation of aircraft universal stores rack. Loss of top bolt caused other points to fail. XM-16 subsystem pivoted down and rearward striking tailboom which came off in flight.

This record was last updated on 05/25/98

Aircraft Assignment History

DateUnitAreaPostCountry
66-10A501ASLT HEL COVIETNAMRVN
66-1171STASLT HEL COVIETNAMRVN

March 19, 2024 - ,

Robert Ziehl   [E-mail]

Former: with
Call sign:

March 18, 2024 - ,

Rodney P. Zacher   [E-mail]

Former: with
Call sign:

March 18, 2024 - ,

Ray Young   [E-mail]

Former: with
Call sign:

March 18, 2024 - ,

Marcus Young   [E-mail]

Former: with
Call sign:

March 18, 2024 - ,

Boyce Wyatt   [E-mail]

Former: with
Call sign:

March 18, 2024 - ,

Claude D. Wright   [E-mail]

Former: with
Call sign:

March 18, 2024 - ,

Philip Wood   [E-mail]

Former: with
Call sign:

March 18, 2024 - ,