Helicopter or incident 66-00530


Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00530
The Army purchased this helicopter 0766
Total flight hours at this point: 00001106
Date: 09/04/68
Unit: HHD 44 ENG GP
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Recon mission for Armed Escort , Other Aircraft.
While On Target this helicopter was Attacking at 0700 feet and 090 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 1 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 Main Rotor Blade System
Systems damaged were: MAIN ROTOR SYS
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all 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, 24801 ()


Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00530
The Army purchased this helicopter 0766
Total flight hours at this point: 00001313
Date: 10/09/69
Incident number: 691009331ACD Accident case number: 691009331 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 118 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Bien Hoa in South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: YT185092
Number killed in accident = 4 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 2
costing 436015
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:
P CW2 HIRANO OWEN TETSUMI KIA
P 1LT MASON ROBERT SCOTT JR KIA
CE SP5 SCOTT GREG BRADFORD KIA
G SP4 SPENCER DANNY RAY KIA

Passengers:
ONE, MCO, G
O2 JW MACK, FCO, G


Accident Summary:

TWO UH-1C HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS WERE SUPPORTING TROOPS IN HEAVY CONTACT AT COORDINATES YT3015 ABOUT SEVEN MILES EAST OF BIEN HOA, RVN. LT MACK WAS THE AC OF THE LEAD SHIP AND CW2 HIRANO WAS AC OF THE WING SHIP. WHILE IN SUPPORT OF THE GROUND TROOPS, DARKNESS HAD FALLEN AND WEATHER IN THE AREA HAD BECOME WORSE. AFTER THE FIRE TEAM COMPLETED THEIR MISSION WITH THE GROUND TROOPS, LT MACK BECAME DISORIENTED AND FLEW TOWARD XUAN LOC, RVN INSTEAD OF TOWARD BIEN HOA, WHERE THEY WERE BASED. DURING THIS TIME, THEY LOST CONTACT WITH THE GROUND AND STARTED FLYING ON INSTURMENTS. THE LEAD SHIP TUNED IN THE BIEN HOA VOR AND STARTED TRACKING INBOUND TOWARD BIEN HOA WITH THEIR WING SHIP FOLLOWING THEM. LT MACK WAS FLYING AT 1000 FEET INDICATED AND CW2 HIRANO WAS FLYING AT 600 FEET INDICATED. THE RMI OF CW2 HIRANO'S UH-1C WAS INOPERATIVE AND HIS CLOCK WAS MISSING. AFTER FLYING FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, CW2 HIRANO CALLED LT MACK AND TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD HIGHWAY 1 IN SIGHT WITH HIS SEARCH LIGHT. LT MACK MADE A 360 DEGREE TURN AND STARTED FOLLOWING CW2 HIRANO. LT MACK HAD CW2 HIRANO'S AIRCRAFT IN SIGHT AND ABOUT 200 FEET BELOW HIM. HE COULD SEE THE HIGHWAY WITH THE AID OF CW2 HIRANO'S SEARCH LIGHT. THEY PROCEEDED THIS WAY UNTIL JUST AFTER THEY PASSED OVER TRANG BOM. AT THIS TIME, THEY RAN INTO EXTREMELY HEAVY RAIN AND WENT COMPLETELY IFR. CW2 HIRANO CALLED AT THIS TIME AND SAID HE WAS MAKING A 180 DEGREE TURN TO THE RIGHT. LT MACK STARTED A RIGHT 180 DEGREE TURN AT THE SAME TIME. AFTER TURNING ABOUT 90 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT, LT HINDERLITER, FLYING WITH LT MACK, LOST SIGHT OF CW2 HIRANO'S AIRCRAFT DUE TO THE TURN. ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER, LT MACK SPOTTED THE LIGHTS OF TRANG BOM AND GAVE CW2 HIRANO A CALL TO LAND THERE. HE RECEIVED NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. LT MACK TRIED TO CONTACT CW2 HIRANO ON UHF, FM, AND VHF RADIOS, INCLUDING GUARD FREQUENCY, BUT TO NO AVAIL. LT MACK LANDED AT TRANG BOM. ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES LATER, THE WEATHER HAD CLEARED SUFFICIENTLY AND LT MACK CONTINUED TO BIEN HOA. HE AGAIN TRIED TO CONTACT CW2 HIRANO, BUT RECEIVED NO ANSWER. SHORTLY AFTER CW2 HIRANO STARTED HIS RIGHT TURN, HE PROBABLY EXPERIENCED VERTIGO. IF LT MASON, HIS PILOT, TOOK THE CONTROLS, HE WOULD HAVE HAD NO INDICATION OF HIS HEADING BECAUSE THE RMI WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE MAGNETIC COMPASS IS NOT VISIBLE FROM THE LEFT SEAT OF THE UH-1. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO THE RIGHT, TURNING A TOTAL OF 450 DEGREES. AT THIS TIME, THE UH-1C WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A 70 TO 80 DEGREE DIVE WITH THE NOSE TURNED SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE UH-1C WAS COMPLETELY CRUSHED, KILLING ALL FOUR CREWMEMBERS. THE ADVANCING BLADE STRUCK THE GROUND AND FORMED A HOLE ALMOST STRAIGHT INTO THE GROUND. AT THIS TIME, THE TAIL BOOM BROKE NEAR ITS BASE AND FELL TO THE GROUND POINTING ABOUT 30 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT OF THE DIRECTION OF FLIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER IMPACT, THE REMAINDER OF THE FUSELAGE TURNED OVER IN THE DIRECTION OF FLIGHT AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. A SMALL FIRE STARTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ENGINE BUT WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED, PROBABLY DUE TO THE HEAVY RAIN. THE UH-1C HAD CRASHED INTO A HEAVY STAND OF BAMBOO. IN THE CRASH, THE ROTOR BLADES HAD CUT THE BAMBOO, MUCH OF WHICH COVERED THE WRECK AND MADE IT INVISIBLE FROM THE AIR.\\

This record was last updated on 09/20/98


The following is crew member information for this incident:


Name: CW2 Owen Tetsumi Hirano
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 10/09/69 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 24.6
Date of Birth: 02/23/45
Home City: Honolulu, HI
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 118 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 68-9
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 17W-056
Short Summary: Crashed in bad wx after staying on location until 20 min fuel light looking for survivors of A/C betw Long Binh & Xoun Loc w/ Robt Mason
Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-00530
SSN: 576444107
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor
Primary cause: A/C Accident
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Started Tour: 03/25/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 02
Location: Long Khanh Province III Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Mongolain
Relgion: Buddhist
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: non-battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 07/28/94


Name: 1LT Robert Scott Mason, Jr.
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 10/09/69 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 22.1
Date of Birth: 09/05/47
Home City: Babylon, NY
Service: IN branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 118 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 69-12
Service: IN branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 17W-057
Short Summary: Crashed in bad wx E of Long Binh. Had stayed on location until 20 min light looking for survivors of A/C w/ Owen Hirano.
Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-00530
SSN: 092388521
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)
Primary cause: A/C Accident
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Started Tour: 07/01/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot
Length of service: 02
Location: Long Khanh Province III Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Roman Catholic
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: non-battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: officer
This record was last updated on 07/29/94


Name: SP5 Greg Bradford Scott
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 10/09/69 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 21.6
Date of Birth: 03/05/48
Home City: Phoenix, AZ
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 118 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 17W-058
Short Summary: Crashed in bad WX after staying on location until 20 min fuel light looking for survivors of downed aircraft.
Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-00530
SSN: 527764177
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67N20 = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 04/27/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Long Khanh Province III Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Protestant - no denominational preference
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: non-battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/24/94


Name: SP4 Danny Ray Spencer
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 10/09/69 while performing the duty of Gunner.
Age at death: 20.7
Date of Birth: 01/17/49
Home City: Independence, MO
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 118 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 17W-059
Short Summary: Crashed in bad WX after staying on location until 20 min fuel light looking for down aircraft.
Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-00530
SSN: 486545321
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67A1F = Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: door gunner
Started Tour: 02/07/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Long Khanh Province III Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Latter Day Saints (Mormon)
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: non-battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/28/94


The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1B tail number 66-00530
It is provided here as an ESTIMATE of the history of this helicopter and is not intended to be the final authority.
This helicopter was purchased by the US Army in 0766.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

 

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6610   7   88 1478   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM   
6611   0   88 1478   ARMY AVN DIV     6TH ARMY   DUGWAY PG        TEVALCOM
6612   0   88 1478   ARMY AVN DIV     6TH ARMY   DUGWAY PG        TEVALCOM
6701   6   94 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6702  66  160 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6703  54  214 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6704  60  274 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6705  56  330 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6706  75  405 3320   USARV FLT DET    VIETNAM                     RVN     
6707  87  492 3320   USARV FLT DET    VIETNAM                     RVN     
6708  75  567 3320   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM   
6709  47  614 3320   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM   
6710  44  658 3320   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM   
6711  28  686 3320   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY
6712  93  779 3320   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY
6801  23  802 3320   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY
6802   8  810 3320   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY
6803  38  848 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6804  17  865 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6805  33  898 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6806  24  922 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6807  45  967 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6808  51 1018 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6809  88 1106 3257   HHD 44 ENG GP    THAILAND                    PACIFIC 
6810  55 1161 3257   HHD 44 ENG GP    THAILAND                    PACIFIC 
6811   0 1161 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6812   0 1161 WG2BAA 11 ARM CAV REG   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6901  56 1217 WCLUAA 611 TRANS CO DS  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6902   6 1223 WCLUAA 611 TRANS CO DS  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6903   0 1223 WCLUAA 611 TRANS CO DS  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6904   8 1231 WCLUAA 611 TRANS CO DS  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6905  14 1245 WCLUAA 611 TRANS CO DS  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6906   3 1248 WCLUAA 611 TRANS CO DS  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6907  34 1282 WDUWAA 190 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6908   1 1283 WAX9AA 118 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6909  30 1313 WAX9AA 118 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     


Please send additions or corrections to:

Gary Roush
43 Overbrook Road
Painted Post, NY 14870


Copyright © 1998 and 1999 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association