Helicopter UH-1D 66-01112

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-01112
The Army purchased this helicopter 0167
Total flight hours at this point: 00001753
Date: 01/03/69
Incident number: 690103101ACD Accident case number: 690103101 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 135 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Bear Cat in South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: XT949036
Number killed in accident = 4 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 429745
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 WO1 CHILDERS WILLIAM STEVEN KIA
P SLT HUELIN ANTHONY JEFFREY KIA
CE SP4 DODSON ERNEST DEAN KIA
G SP4 MCPHERSON LARRY RANDALL KIA

Accident Summary:

The description of the accident was derived from the testimony of the crew of aircraft 66-16296. This aircraft was the second of two aircraft assigned to the mission. At 0615H aircraft #1 66-112 departed Bearcat to the northeast, turned to a heading of 270 degrees and started climbing. Aircraft #2 66-16296 departed Bearcat at approximately 0620H in the same direction. Aircraft #2 called Bearcat Artillery for clearance and was told to stay north of the 94 east-west gridline. Aircraft #1 reported to aircraft #2 the base of the clouds was 1200 feet and his heading was 260 degrees. Aircraft #2 joined up with aircraft #1 just north of VC Island and continued to fly in formation until IFR conditions were encountered. Aircraft #2 lost sight of aircraft #1 at this time slowed up and started to descend. Aircraft #2 intermittently saw aircraft #1 as he was descending through broken to overcast clouds. At this time the #2 aircraft asked the #1 aircraft if he had filed with Capitol Center and he stated that he had not. Aircraft #2 told him he would file for both of them at this time. This was the last conversation that took place between the two aircraft. Aircraft #2 had to descend to approximately 100 feet to remain VFR. In the vicinity of Highway 316 northeast of Saigon, aircraft #2 sighted aircraft #1 heading approximately 320 degrees and at an altitude of less than 100 feet. Suddenly bright sparks or flashes appeared below aircraft #1 as it struck the 1/2 inch steel cables supporting the power lines between Saigon and Bien Hoa. The aircraft struck the power lines approximately 80 feet above the ground. After striking the power line the aircraft immediately crashed to the ground erupting in flames 94 feet northwest of the high tension lines, in an inverted slightly nose down position. The #2 aircraft made a let down to rescue the crew. In doing so the aircraft hit a tree causing damage to the aircraft. An attempt was made by the crew of aircraft #2 to rescue the crew, but was to no avail as the intense flames and exploding ammunition made it impossible. Aircraft #2 then called for assistance, notified operations and returned to Bearcat at approximately 0900H

This record was last updated on 05/25/98

The following is crew member information for this incident:

Name: WO1 William Steven Childers
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/03/69 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 21.6
Date of Birth: 05/23/47
Home City: Fairbanks, AK
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 135 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 68-511/68-17
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 35W-025
Short Summary: Hit wires near to Duc Water Plant with co-pilot LT Tony J. Huelin, Royal Austrialian Navy.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-01112
Service number: W3161920
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor
Primary cause: Wire Strike
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Started Tour: 09/17/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Location: Bien Hoa 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 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 07/28/94

Name: SP4 Ernest Dean Dodson
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/03/69 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 22.5
Date of Birth: 07/16/46
Home City: Wichita, KS
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 135 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 35W-024
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-01112
Service number: 68002721
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: crew chief
Started Tour: 10/19/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Location: Bien Hoa Province III Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
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 07/24/94

Name: SLT Anthony "Tony" Jeffrey Huelin
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/03/69 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Home State: AU
Service: Australian Navy.
Unit: 135 AHC
Service: Australian Navy.
Short Summary: Hit wires near To Duc water plant w/WO1 William S. Childers. One of 4 Royal Australian Navy helicopter pilots killed in Vietnam.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-01112
Country: South Vietnam
Primary cause: Wire Strike
This record was last updated on 06/19/95

Name: SP4 Larry Randall Mc Pherson
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/03/69 while performing the duty of Gunner.
Age at death: 20.7
Date of Birth: 04/29/48
Home City: Los Angeles, CA
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 135 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 35W-029
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-01112
Service number: 18910755
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: 09/01/67
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 02
Location: Bien Hoa Province III 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 07/28/94

The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-01112
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 0167.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6701  11   11 2065   ARMY AVN DIV     6TH ARMY   DUGWAY PG        TEVALCOM
6702  37   48 2065   ARMY AVN DIV     6TH ARMY   DUGWAY PG        TEVALCOM
6703  37   85 2065   POST SUPPLY      6TH ARMY   FORT ORD         6TH ARMY
6704   5   90 WACUAA 1 ARMD DIV       4TH ARMY   FORT HOOD        4TH ARMY
6705  16  106 WFM9AA 135 AVN CO       4THARMY    FORT HOOD        4TH ARMY
6706  25  131 WFM9AA 135 AVN CO       4THARMY    FORT HOOD        4TH ARMY
6707  42  173 WFM9AA 135 AVN CO       4THARMY    FORT HOOD        4TH ARMY
6708  32  205 WFM9AA 135 AVN CO       4THARMY    FORT HOOD        4TH ARMY
6709   0  205 WFM9AA 135 AVN CO       4THARMY    FORT HOOD        4TH ARMY
6710   3  208 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6711  81  289 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6712 122  411 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6801  96  507 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6802 115  622 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6803  91  713 3380   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY
6804 147  860 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6805 115  975 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6806  87 1062 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6807  85 1147 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6808 123 1270 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6809 127 1397 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6810 143 1540 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6811  98 1638 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN
6812 115 1753 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN

Please send additions or corrections to:

VHPA Head Quarters or Gary Roush or Mike Law

Printed from databases on: 08/27/00