CPT LARSON RICHARD ANDREW Photo provided by Carl Schott C/227th AHB
<bgsound src="flowers-gh.mid" loop=infinite> Helicopter 67-17226 Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 67-17226 The Army purchased this helicopter 0168 Total flight hours at this point: 00002563 Date: 05/22/70 Incident number: 700522211ACD Accident case number: 700522211 Total loss or fatality Accident Unit: C/227 AVN The station for this helicopter was Phouc Vinh in Cambodia UTM grid coordinates: YU356587 Number killed in accident = 4 . . Injured = 2 . . Passengers = 3 costing 459945 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 CPT LARSON RICHARD ANDREW KIA AC WO1 REILLY JOHN CHARLES KIA CE SP4 ABLER JAMES LYNN KIA G PVT MEHLHAFF RICHARD WAYNE KIA Passengers: PMS, , G; E6 A RICHARDSON, PAX, C; E4 CR BROOKS, PAX, C; Accident Summary: AIRCRAFT 226 AND 766 (AH-1G) WERE PERFORMING A LOW LEVEL SNIFFER MISSION IN THE VICINITY OF COORDINATES YU 354587. 226 WAS OPERATING AT TREE TOP LEVEL AS DICTATED BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TYPE MISSION BEING PERFORMED. THE TERRAIN IN WHICH THEY WEREOPERATING IS DENSE JUNGLE AND MOUNTAINOUS, FORCED LANDING AREAS LIMITED TO BOMB CRATERS. AIRCRAFT 766 WAS DIRECTING THE FLIGHT PATH OF 226 FROM A HIGHER ALTITUDE, PERFORMING THE MISSIONS OF NAVIGATION AND COVER FOR THE LOW AIRCRAFT. WHILE TRAVELING TO THE NORTH AND ON AN UPSLOPE RUN, 226 CALLED A MAYDAY ENGINE FAILURE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO ATTEMPT AN AUTOROTATIVE FLARE AND DISAPPEAR INTO THE TREES. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER AND PILOT OF 766 WITNESSED THE CRASH. THERE WERE NO OTHER WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT.\\ This record was last updated on 10/18/98 The following is crew member information for this incident: Name: WO1 John Charles Reilly Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/22/70 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander. Age at death: 23.4 Date of Birth: 12/19/46 Home City: Cranston, RI Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army. Unit: C/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Flight class: 69-39 Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army. The Wall location: 10W-081 Short Summary: Sniffer mission in Cambodia. Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17226 SSN: 037305939 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 100B = Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: fire or burns Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: co-pilot Started Tour: 01/05/70 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew Length of service: * Location: Quang Duc Province II 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 is 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 10/18/98 Name: CPT Richard Andrew Larson (posthumously promoted) Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/22/70 while performing the duty of Pilot. Age at death: 25.3 Date of Birth: 01/25/45 Home City: Watertown, SD Service: FA branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army. Unit: C/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Flight class: 69-12 Service: FA branch of the U.S. Army. The Wall location: 10W-081 Short Summary: Sniffer mission in Cambodia. Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17226 SSN: 504481796 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander) Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: fire or burns Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: passenger Started Tour: 06/27/69 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew Length of service: * Location: Quang Duc Province II Corps. Reason: aircraft lost or crashed Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes single male U.S. citizen Race: Caucasian Relgion: Lutheran (Missouri Synod) The following information is 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 10/18/98 Name: SP4 James Lynn Abler Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/22/70 while performing the duty of Crew Chief. Age at death: 21.3 Date of Birth: 02/15/49 Home City: Royal, IA Service: regular component of the U.S. Army. Unit: C/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Service: U.S. Army. The Wall location: 10W-077 Short Summary: Sniffer mission in Cambodia. Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17226 SSN: 479563985 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 67N20 = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: fire or burns Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: crew chief Started Tour: 08/19/69 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew Length of service: * Location: Quang Duc Province II 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 is 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 10/18/98 Name: PVT Richard Wayne Mehlhaff Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/22/70 while performing the duty of Gunner. Age at death: 19.5 Date of Birth: 12/08/50 Home City: Farmington, NM Service: regular component of the U.S. Army. Unit: C/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Service: U.S. Army. The Wall location: 10W-082 Short Summary: Sniffer mission in Cambodia. Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17226 SSN: 585447507 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 67A1F = Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: fire or burns Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: door gunner Started Tour: 02/08/69 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew Length of service: * Location: Quang Duc Province II Corps. Reason: aircraft lost or crashed Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes single male U.S. citizen Race: Caucasian Relgion: Baptist - other groups The following information is 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 10/18/98 The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 67-17226 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 0168. Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA. DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY 6801 0 0 W0Y6AA INTRANSIT IN TRANSIT AVCOMCTR 6802 47 47 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6803 141 188 3380 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 6804 127 315 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6805 140 455 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6806 135 590 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6807 145 735 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6808 131 866 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6809 162 1028 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6810 152 1180 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6811 140 1320 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6812 180 1500 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6901 105 1605 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6902 118 1723 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6903 132 1855 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6904 151 2006 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6905 127 2133 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6906 0 2133 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN STORAGE NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6907 0 2133 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN STORAGE NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6908 0 2133 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6909 0 2133 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6910 2 2135 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6911 1 2136 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6912 37 2173 WAAVC0 COC 227ABAH1CAV VIETNAM RVN 7001 106 2279 WAAVC0 COC 227ABAH1CAV VIETNAM RVN 7002 123 2402 WAAVC0 COC 227ABAH1CAV VIETNAM RVN 7003 72 2474 WAAVC0 COC 227ABAH1CAV VIETNAM RVN 7004 89 2563 WAAVC0 COC 227ABAH1CAV VIETNAM RVN Please send additions or corrections to: Gary Roush 43 Overbrook Road Painted Post, NY 14870 Send comments and questions to the VHPA at ( webmaster@vhpa.org )
Helicopter 67-17226
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 67-17226 The Army purchased this helicopter 0168 Total flight hours at this point: 00002563 Date: 05/22/70 Incident number: 700522211ACD Accident case number: 700522211 Total loss or fatality Accident Unit: C/227 AVN The station for this helicopter was Phouc Vinh in Cambodia UTM grid coordinates: YU356587 Number killed in accident = 4 . . Injured = 2 . . Passengers = 3 costing 459945 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 CPT LARSON RICHARD ANDREW KIA AC WO1 REILLY JOHN CHARLES KIA CE SP4 ABLER JAMES LYNN KIA G PVT MEHLHAFF RICHARD WAYNE KIA
Passengers: PMS, , G; E6 A RICHARDSON, PAX, C; E4 CR BROOKS, PAX, C;
Accident Summary:
AIRCRAFT 226 AND 766 (AH-1G) WERE PERFORMING A LOW LEVEL SNIFFER MISSION IN THE VICINITY OF COORDINATES YU 354587. 226 WAS OPERATING AT TREE TOP LEVEL AS DICTATED BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TYPE MISSION BEING PERFORMED. THE TERRAIN IN WHICH THEY WEREOPERATING IS DENSE JUNGLE AND MOUNTAINOUS, FORCED LANDING AREAS LIMITED TO BOMB CRATERS. AIRCRAFT 766 WAS DIRECTING THE FLIGHT PATH OF 226 FROM A HIGHER ALTITUDE, PERFORMING THE MISSIONS OF NAVIGATION AND COVER FOR THE LOW AIRCRAFT. WHILE TRAVELING TO THE NORTH AND ON AN UPSLOPE RUN, 226 CALLED A MAYDAY ENGINE FAILURE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO ATTEMPT AN AUTOROTATIVE FLARE AND DISAPPEAR INTO THE TREES. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER AND PILOT OF 766 WITNESSED THE CRASH. THERE WERE NO OTHER WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT.\\
This record was last updated on 10/18/98
The following is crew member information for this incident:
Name: WO1 John Charles Reilly Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/22/70 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander. Age at death: 23.4 Date of Birth: 12/19/46 Home City: Cranston, RI Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army. Unit: C/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Flight class: 69-39 Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army. The Wall location: 10W-081 Short Summary: Sniffer mission in Cambodia. Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17226 SSN: 037305939 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 100B = Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: fire or burns Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: co-pilot Started Tour: 01/05/70 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew Length of service: * Location: Quang Duc Province II 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 is 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 10/18/98
Name: CPT Richard Andrew Larson (posthumously promoted) Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/22/70 while performing the duty of Pilot. Age at death: 25.3 Date of Birth: 01/25/45 Home City: Watertown, SD Service: FA branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army. Unit: C/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Flight class: 69-12 Service: FA branch of the U.S. Army. The Wall location: 10W-081 Short Summary: Sniffer mission in Cambodia. Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17226 SSN: 504481796 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander) Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: fire or burns Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: passenger Started Tour: 06/27/69 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew Length of service: * Location: Quang Duc Province II Corps. Reason: aircraft lost or crashed Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes single male U.S. citizen Race: Caucasian Relgion: Lutheran (Missouri Synod) The following information is 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 10/18/98
Name: SP4 James Lynn Abler Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/22/70 while performing the duty of Crew Chief. Age at death: 21.3 Date of Birth: 02/15/49 Home City: Royal, IA Service: regular component of the U.S. Army. Unit: C/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Service: U.S. Army. The Wall location: 10W-077 Short Summary: Sniffer mission in Cambodia. Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17226 SSN: 479563985 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 67N20 = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: fire or burns Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: crew chief Started Tour: 08/19/69 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew Length of service: * Location: Quang Duc Province II 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 is 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 10/18/98
Name: PVT Richard Wayne Mehlhaff Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 05/22/70 while performing the duty of Gunner. Age at death: 19.5 Date of Birth: 12/08/50 Home City: Farmington, NM Service: regular component of the U.S. Army. Unit: C/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Service: U.S. Army. The Wall location: 10W-082 Short Summary: Sniffer mission in Cambodia. Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17226 SSN: 585447507 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 67A1F = Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: fire or burns Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: door gunner Started Tour: 02/08/69 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew Length of service: * Location: Quang Duc Province II Corps. Reason: aircraft lost or crashed Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes single male U.S. citizen Race: Caucasian Relgion: Baptist - other groups The following information is 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 10/18/98
The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 67-17226 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 0168. Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY 6801 0 0 W0Y6AA INTRANSIT IN TRANSIT AVCOMCTR 6802 47 47 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6803 141 188 3380 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 6804 127 315 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6805 140 455 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6806 135 590 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6807 145 735 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6808 131 866 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6809 162 1028 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6810 152 1180 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6811 140 1320 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6812 180 1500 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6901 105 1605 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6902 118 1723 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6903 132 1855 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6904 151 2006 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6905 127 2133 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 6906 0 2133 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN STORAGE NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6907 0 2133 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN STORAGE NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6908 0 2133 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6909 0 2133 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6910 2 2135 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6911 1 2136 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6912 37 2173 WAAVC0 COC 227ABAH1CAV VIETNAM RVN 7001 106 2279 WAAVC0 COC 227ABAH1CAV VIETNAM RVN 7002 123 2402 WAAVC0 COC 227ABAH1CAV VIETNAM RVN 7003 72 2474 WAAVC0 COC 227ABAH1CAV VIETNAM RVN 7004 89 2563 WAAVC0 COC 227ABAH1CAV VIETNAM RVN
Please send additions or corrections to:
Gary Roush 43 Overbrook Road Painted Post, NY 14870
Send comments and questions to the VHPA at ( webmaster@vhpa.org )
