Helicopter 67-17468
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 67-17468 The Army purchased this helicopter 0468 Total flight hours at this point: 00000371 Date: 09/28/68 Incident number: 680928111ACD Accident case number: 680928111 Total loss or fatality Accident Unit: C/227 AVN The station for this helicopter was Camp Evans in South Vietnam Number killed in accident = 2 . . Injured = 2 . . Passengers = 4 costing 313354 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: AC W1 GRADDY HG P O2 BURFORD OW CE MCKENNA G E5 WAGEMAN PH
Passengers: UNK, PAX, G; UNK, PAX, G; SGT USSERY CARL RICHARD, AR, PX, KIA; CPL EVANS RAYMOND E, AR, PX, KIA;
Accident Summary:
This aircrew was assigned the mission of resupplying an infantry unit in contact with an enemy force. The logistical packages were picked up at LZ Nancy and shuttled to a small tactical LZ at YD344341. On the third sortie into this LZ, the cargo consisted of boxed 82mm mortar ammunition, much of which was white phosphorus. In addition to the cargo, there were four infantrymen to go to the unit being resupplied. The passengers were seated on and around the cargo, without seat belts or any form of restraint. On this approach, at an altitude of perhaps 20 feet, the main rotor struck a large limb near the top of a tall tree, at about the 4 o'clock position to the helicopter. A ground guide was directing the aircraft, and did not see the tree. The door gunner was leaning out, clearing the tail rotor, and he did not see the tree before the rotor struck. Other witnesses stated that the limb was dislodged by the strike, and fell through the rotor disc and was struck again. At that time, the helicopter rolled to the right and fell to the ground. The crew and two of the passengers were able to exit the aircraft uninjured. The identity of the two uninjured passengers is unknown. Two of the passengers were trapped under the cargo. The fuel began to burn almost immediately. All efforts to free the two remaining passengers failed. The ammunition began to burn and most of the wreckage was consumed in the fire. The two trapped passengers died in the fire. At this time the ground troops were heavily engaged with the enemy unit. After the enemy withdrew, rescue aircraft were able to land and evacuate the crew
This record was last updated on 09/20/98
The following is crew member information for this incident:
Name: CPL Raymond E. Evans (posthumously promoted) Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 09/28/68 while performing the duty of Passenger. Age at death: 20.4 Date of Birth: 05/10/48 Home City: Pueblo, CO Service: component of the U.S. Army. Unit: C/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Service: U.S. Army. The Wall location: 42W-035 Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17468 Service number: 67150799 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 11B10 = Infantryman Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: fire or burns Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: passenger Started Tour: 04/01/68 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew Length of service: 01 Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps. Reason: aircraft lost or crashed Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes single male U.S. citizen Race: Negro Relgion: Protestant - no denominational preference 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 07/29/95
Name: SGT Carl Richard Ussery Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 09/28/68 while performing the duty of Passenger. Age at death: 19.8 Date of Birth: 11/22/48 Home City: Norwood, MO 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: 42W-037 Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 67-17468 Service number: 16958393 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 13E40 = Cannon Fire Direction Specialist Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: fire or burns Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: passenger Started Tour: 12/03/67 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew Length of service: 01 Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps. Reason: aircraft lost or crashed Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes married 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 07/29/95
The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 67-17468 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 0468. Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY 6804 0 0 W0Y6AA OS TO CONUS ITR CONUS AVCOMITR 6805 7 7 3261 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 6806 96 103 3261 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 6807 119 222 3261 OPM SEA NITEOPS 1ST ARMY FORT BELVOIR AMC 6808 91 313 WAAVC0 COC 227ABAH1CAV VIETNAM RVN 6809 58 371 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 )