More detail on this person: CPT Ervin Willis Date: 26-OCT-1979 Time: Type: Bell OH-58A Kiowa Owner/operator: 5th Aviation Batallion, US Army Registration: C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2 Other fatalities: 0 Aircraft damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: near Tamarack, Clinton County, Pennsylvania - United States of America Phase: En route Nature: Military Departure airport: Destination airport: Narrative: Written off (destroyed) 26 October 1979: the helicopter was on a tactical training mission during Operation "Golden Warrior", flying at 65 Knots IAS and below 50 feet AGL when it hit overhead HT wires near Tamarack, Pennsylvania, and crashed. Pilot fatigue was a contributing factor in crash. Both crew members on board were killed: contemporary press reports named the two fatalities as CW2 Roger D. Welch [Pilot] and Captain Ervin Willis Jr
Burial information: Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery, Red Lake, TX
This information was last updated 03/30/2021
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: 04/13/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2025 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association