More detail on this person: This aircraft was
with the 132 ASHC, CH-47 85-24325 while in low
altitude cruise flight, during an NVG training
mission, the Chinook and an AH-1S Cobra, flying in
opposite directions, collided. The main rotor
blades struck the forward cabin area and the main
rotor system of the AH-1, which caused the
in-flight breakup of both aircraft. This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site:
10/13/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Jerry Akers was giving Charles Falk an NVG (night
vision goggles) check ride when this mid-air
happen. Falk was also a Vietnam veteran. Also
killed in the crash were the flight engineer, SSG
Siebert H. Everetts (Pete); the crew chief, Sgt
Alonzo Ferguson and two other enlisted crew
members. The cobra flew up into the aft rotor of
the Chinook. The aft rotor departed the CH 47.
The Chinook crashed but there was no post crash
fire. The Cobra crashed in flames. This was
during the infancy of night vision goggles
training.
I don't know who the other two were. They were on
board to act as hookup men for the external load
portion of the checkride.
I was in the unit when it happened.
From: John Clifford