Information on U.S. Army helicopter CH-47A tail number 66-19011
The Army purchased this helicopter 1166
Total flight hours at this point: 00000760
Date: 07/23/1968
Incident number: 680723241ACD Accident case number: 680723241 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 242 ASHC
This was a Accident incident.
The station for this helicopter was Cu Chi in South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: XT675145 (To see this location on a map, go to https://legallandconverter.com/p50.html and search on Grid Reference 48PXT675145)
Number killed in accident = 7 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 2
costing 1486037
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 WO1 WERNIG RANDY RICHARD KIA
P CW2 DUER THOMAS WADE KIA
CE SP5 SEIDEL DONALD WILLIAM KIA
G SP4 MATHER HARRY MICHAEL KIA
FE SP5 DEESE DANNY EUGENE KIA
Passengers and/or other participants:
CPT MITCHELL DAVID GEORGE, AR, PX, KIA
PVT ROUSSEAU RICHARD LEE, AR, PX, KIA
Accident Summary:
The aircraft was engaged in a resupply mission. The aircraft was operating on a single ship mission and had refueled approximately 20 minutes prior to the crash. One sortie from Cu Chi to a field location had been completed since refueling, and the aircraft was returning for a second sortie. A tape recording obtained from the tower monitor, Cu Chi tower, revealed no unusual transmissions. Normal clearance for approach and landing at Cu Chi, east POL point were given. No distress or unusual communications were heard by other aircraft monitoring the tower frequency. Twelve seconds time lapsed between the time the tower gave final clearance until a screeching noise came over the air. The noise is believed to be the radio equipment on board the aircraft shorting upon impact. The pilot did not acknowledge his final clearance from Cu Chi tower; however, just prior to impact the transmission "roger" came over the FM frequency in a calm tone, which was monitored by SP4 Williams, resupply rigger. Williams recognized the voice as that of the pilot with whom he had talked, approximately one minute earlier. It is believed that the pilot was rogering Cu Chi tower but had mistakenly transmitted over FM. It is the conclusion of the board that the pilot had no warning of failure. Witnesses interviewed were first attracted to the accident by a loud "pop and clapping noise." At this time the aircraft was at approximately 150 - 200 feet absolute altitude. Attitude at this time was normal as viewed by three CH-47 qualified aviators observing the aircraft. The pilot of the aircraft in traffic behind 011 reported to the board that the front rotors were turning slightly less than normal and the aft rotors appeared to be close to a stop. Shortly thereafter, the aft pylon was seen separating from the main part of the fuselage. Upon separation, the aft pylon rolled to the right, away from the fuselage and fell to the ground. A small bright flame was seen on the fuselage at the place of separation. The main section of the fuselage then turned approximately 120 degrees to the left and struck the ground tail low. The attitude of impact is substantiated by damage to engine tail cones. Small parts were observed flying from the aircraft prior to impact. Flame quickly engulfed the fuselage.
This record was last updated on 09/20/1998
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Date posted on this site: 11/13/2023
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