Helicopter AH-1G 68-15145


Information on U.S. Army helicopter AH-1G tail number 68-15145
The Army purchased this helicopter 0569
Total flight hours at this point: 00000056
Date: 10/08/1969
Incident number: 69100888.KIA
Unit: D/158 AVN
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Rescue and Recovery mission for Rescue or Rescue Support
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at UNK feet and UNK knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: YD470375 (To see this location on a map, go to https://legallandconverter.com/p50.html and search on Grid Reference 48QYD470375)
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size.
Systems damaged were: INSTRUMENTS, PERSONNEL
Casualties = 02 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, CRAFX, CASRP (Operations Report. Crash Facts Message. Casualty Report. )
Summary: Tail rotor hit by small arms fire causing the loss of anti-torque control which resulted in a spin and crash while looking for Watkins.
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
P CPT LUSCINSKI JAMES TIMOTHY KIA
P CPT ROEDIGER CHRISS LESLIE KIA


War Story:
I used to fly missions with Chris Roediger. We used to fly night missions in support of the 5th SF out of Quang Tri. Those missions were referred to as FOB and sometimes CCN. We would spend 4-6 hours in the bunker at Camp Eagle under Red Lights to build our Night Vision before the flights. Sometimes the missions would involve multiple Sorties and last all night. We would penetrate up to 30 miles across the border. We flew the AH-1G Cobra. I always flew in the front seat as Chris's gunner. He checked me out in the front seat shortly after our arrival in country in 69. I was the Detachment Commander (159th TC) in support of A-Company. Chris was one of the Redskins (D-Company). We struck up a friendship early on (Both Captains). I really respected him and trusted his flying skills. He was very brave. I guess we both were. I was very saddened when he was killed. The helicopter he was flying was struck in the tail rotor by small arms fire (I saw the bullet holes). He lost anti-torque control which caused the helicopter to spin. He tried to recover but struck the main rotor blade and crashed. If anyone could have recovered the helicopter it would have been him. He was a great pilot. His crash was definitely NOT pilot error. I attended Chris' memorial service at Camp Evans. Major Jerry Chandler, U.S. Army Retired, 1100 Wedgewood Dr, Fayetteville, GA 30214 chandj@DIRECTVinternet.com

This record was last updated on 09/23/2002


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Date posted on this site: 11/13/2023


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