Helicopter OH-6A 66-07856


Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 66-07856
The Army purchased this helicopter 1267
Total flight hours at this point: 00000438
Date: 01/04/1969
Incident number: 69010414.KIA
Unit: E/82 ARTY 1 CAV
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Miscellaneous mission for Administration
While on Landing Zone this helicopter was on the Ground at 0000 feet and 000 knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: XT675126 (To see this location on a map, go to https://legallandconverter.com/p50.html and search on Grid Reference 48PXT675126)
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)
The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 01 KIA . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Exploded
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, 90008, HUGHS, CASRP, CRAFX, JSIDR (Operations Report. Lindenmuth Old Format Data Base. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. Crash Facts Message. Casualty Report. )
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
P 1LT BEATTYS LAWRENCE VICK KIA
OB SP4 MILLER HENRY L RES


War Story:
1st Lt. Beattys flying a LOH was killed by an ambush sniper while checking out what looked like a weapon by a Spider Hole. He worked as a Pilot for United Airlines prior to becoming a Pilot for the Army. He was killed on January 4, 1969. I believe. His Flight Class was 68-6. The OH-6A’s Tail Number was 66-07856 His Crew Member was Joe Moreno. As Joe jumped out of LOH to pick up the weapon, the enemy opened up on the OH-6A with machine gun fire, killing 1st Lt. Beattys. I think it was a 50 Caliber. Lt Beattys pulling on siklick (I think that’s how it’s spelled) went upside down crashed and exploded. The Magnesium engine caught fire and the craft was cooked. Another Helicopter came in worked the area and picked up Joe. Joe never did pick up the weapon. I believe it was a chrome plated 45. It was real shinny. This was what Joe told me back in 69. From: Patrick McIntyre Sp-5, Battery E, 82nd Battalion, 1st Calvary Divison, Airmobile Aviation Supply Specialist Also knew Paul Henry Tober and Robert Lloyd Bennett. They we killed at Quan Loi by incoming (Rockets or Mortars). Editor's Note: The 25th Avn log for 4 January 1969 specifically identifies the surviving observer by name as "SP/4 Henry L. Miller E Btry 82nd Arty 1st Cav". The entry twice again addresses him by last name. So it appears Mr. McIntyre may have mis-remembered or the 25th Avn log is wrong. GBR March 2017

This record was last updated on 03/08/2017


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Date posted on this site: 11/13/2023


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