Historical Data Display for Aircraft 65-09434

Model: UH-1C
Date Purchased: Jan 1966
Service with Rattlers & Firebirds: From Dec 1968 To Apr 1969
Flight Hours: Beginning 654 / Ending 835 -> Hours Flown: 181

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 23 Jun 1966
Description:
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Recon mission for Armed Escort , Other Aircraft.
While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0800 feet and 110 knots.
Not Reported
Helicopter took 4 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (12.7MM)
Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS, STRUCTURE, FLT CONTROLS, PERSONNEL
The armor protecting the personnel was effective.
Casualties = 01 WIA . .
The helicopter made a Precautionary Landing. Aircraft took off, fully flight capable.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
Aircraft inspected and found to be in flyable condition
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P1, 00308, FM232, DYNAL ()

Date: 05 May 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 875
Unit: 71 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BT125448
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report.)
Loss to Inventory

Date: 17 May 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 875
Accident case number: 690517101
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 2 . . Passengers = 0
costing 80447
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 ADAMITIS AR
P W1 LARD WR
CE E5 BRUCE JL
G E3 BARRON RC

Accident Summary:

On 17 May 1969 at 0915 hours aircraft UH-1C, S/N 65-9434, and crew, along with another gunship, received a call to escort a Boxcar aircraft from Baldy to Tam Ky. The gunships rearmed and repositioned to the POL at Baldy for fuel. During rearming aircraft 65-9434 took on 100 rounds of 40mm and filled the rocket pods except for five on each side to allow for the density altitude. When the aircraft came to a hover the RPM stabilized at 6400 and the outside air temperature was said to be 33 degrees Centigrade. The POL area at LZ Baldy is not very big and the aircraft commander used all of it to make the takeoff to the NE. The tower had cleared him and gave the winds as calm. Just as the aircraft cleared the POL area it reached translational lift but had already bled off to 6000 RPM. Just after reaching translational lift the aircraft began to lose altitude and more RPM. The aircraft skimmed the surface of a built-up paved road approximately 300 meters NE of the POL. It landed in a rice paddy 50 meters NE of the road. The aircraft touched down with 5400 RPM and a slight forward motion. The right rocket pod caught on a mound of dirt, turning the aircraft to the right and tipping the tail up. The aircraft then landed on the left skid which gave way and the aircraft rolled onto its left side and remained that way.

Aircraft Assignment History