Historical Data Display for Aircraft 66-00739

Model: UH-1C
Date Purchased: Jan 1967
Service with Rattlers & Firebirds: From Jun 1969 To Dec 1969
Flight Hours: Beginning 904 / Ending 1,156 -> Hours Flown: 252

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 12 Feb 1968
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 390
Unit: A/3/17 CAV
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
for Close Air Support
While On Target this helicopter was Attacking at 0100 feet and 080 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 7 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Tail Section
Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS, OIL SYS, MAIN ROTOR SYS
The helicopter made a Forced Landing. Aircraft took off, fully flight capable.
The aircraft was diverted or delayed after completing some mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P3, 04307 ()

Date: 04 Aug 1968
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 662
Unit: D/101 AVN
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
for Close Air Support
While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0500 feet and 080 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 15 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
Systems damaged were: MULTIPLE, PERSONNEL
Casualties = 01 WIA . .
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P3, 21705 ()

Date: 17 Dec 1968
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 892
Unit: 142 TC CO
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
This was a Recon mission for Armed Escort , Other Aircraft.
While On Target this helicopter was Attacking at 0275 feet and 070 knots.
Unknown
Helicopter took 6 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Engine Compartment
Systems damaged were: ELECTRICAL SYS, MAIN ROTOR SYS
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P3, 35302 ()

Date: 10 Jan 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,156
MIA-POW file reference number: 1547
Incident number: 70011010.KIA
Unit: 71 AHC
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BT239141
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Reference Notes. Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: 1547 ()
Loss to Inventory
Crew: Capt. Herbert C. Crosby, pilot; WO George A. Howes, co-pilot; SP5 Wayne C. Allen, crew chief; and SP4 Francis G. Graziosi, door gunner

Crew Members:
G SFC GRAZIOSI FRANCIS GEORGE BNR
CE SFC ALLEN WAYNE CLOUSE RR
P CPT CROSBY HERBERT CHARLES BNR
P CW3 HOWES GEORGE ANDREWS BNR

REFNO Synopsis:
SYNOPSIS: On January 19, 1970, Capt. Herbert C. Crosby, pilot; WO George A. Howes, co-pilot; SP5 Wayne C. Allen, crew chief; and SP4 Francis G. Graziosi, door gunner; were flying a UH-1C helicopter (serial #66-739) as the flight lead in a flight of three helicopters returning from Tien Phuoc to the unit base at Chu Lai, South Vietnam. At 1300 hours, the three helicopters departed Tien Phuoc. Five to ten minutes later, due to instrument flight rules, Capt. Crosby directed the flight to change to a different flight heading. When the helicopters changed frequencies to contact Chu Lai ground control approach, radio contact was lost with Capt. Crosby and was not regained. The other two aircraft reached Chu Lai heliport, and at 1400 hours, search efforts were begun for the missing aircraft, although the crew was not found. According to a 1974 National League of Families report, George Howes survived the crash of this helicopter. The report further maintains that the loss occurred in Laos, although the coordinates place it some 40-odd miles from that country. A North Vietnamese prisoner released later reported that he had seen Howes in captivity the same month the helicopter went down. A second sighting by a villager in Phuoc Chouc (or Phouc Chau) village reported Howes and two other POWs stopped for water at his house in February, 1970, en route to Laos. Whether these reports also relate to Allen, Crosby and Graziosi, is unknown

This record was last updated on 05/25/98

Aircraft Assignment History