Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 67-16278
This record was last updated on 03/18/2010
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Date posted on this site:
11/13/2023
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The Army purchased this helicopter 0868
Total flight hours at this point: 00000239
Date: 12/29/1968
Incident number: 68122929.KIA
Unit: C/1/9 CAV
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon
Unknown this helicopter was Unknown at UNK feet and UNK knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: XT599882 (To see this location on a map, go to https://legallandconverter.com/p50.html and search on Grid Reference 48PXT599882)
Count of hits was not possible because the helicopter burned or exploded.
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 03 DOI . .
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, LNOF, 80529, CASRP, CRAFX (Operations Report.
Lindenmuth Old Format Data Base. Crash Facts Message. Casualty Report. )
Summary: While on an armed recon at tree top level and 40 knots, the helicopter blew up and crashed.
Loss to Inventory
Crew Members:
P 1LT KINGMAN BARRY DEAN KIA
OB SSG AUSTIN VICTOR LEROY KIA
CE PFC ROBERTS RONALD EUGENE KIA
War Story:
I was the pilot in command of this aircraft's wingman on the day of the incident. The OH6 was on an armed reconnaissance mission flying at tree top level at approximately 40 kits. The aircraft blew up and crashed. I was approximately 600 ft above the OH6 looking straight at the aircraft at the time. To this day, I still have no idea what happened to cause the aircraft to blow up; however, we were in a very hostile location. I went down to check for survivors but saw none and received no enemy fire that I know of. I was flying an AH1G Cobra and it was difficult to hear enemy fire unless it was very close, so I could have been taking fire and not known it.
If I can be of further assistance please let me know. There were three brave soldiers that died that day.
From: Bill Rice