Boeing CH-47A Chinook helicopter 66-19023.

66-19023

A unit patch from the 242nd Aviation Company - "Muleskinners", from thier days in the Republic of Vietnam.

Property of the

242nd Aviation Company - "Muleskinners"

(Assault Support Helicopter Company)

Republic of Vietnam - Sep '67 to Mar '69

Property of the

4th Aviation Company - 15th Aviation Group

Federal Republic of Germany - Aug '70 to Aug '71

Jack Label, Don Ross, and Tom Doyle stand next to Chinook 66-19023 while at Cu Chi, Republic of Vietnam, early 1969.

66-19023, early 1969, while stationed with the 242nd ASHC in the Republic of Vietnam. Pictured in the photograph is Jack Label (left), Don Ross (center, who, as of 2004, was a Senior Propulsion Instructor with Honeywell Aerospace), and Tom Doyle (right). As of 2004, Tom Doyle was still flying, performing the same duty as he did in 1969 - Door Gunner. While not flying on Chinook 90-00211, Tom was also the First Sergeant for Company A - "Hook-ers", 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, Washington Army Reserve (WAR), attached to the 12th Aviation Brigade Task Force in Iraq. Company A conducted missions in support of Operation Iraqi Liberation (OIL). Click-N-Go Here to see a larger image of the photograph.

   66-19023, Boeing build number B-281, was a CH-47A helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 12 December 1966. The administrative strike date was 18 August 1971. 66-19023 accumulated at least 1,685.0 aircraft hours.

   In December 1966, 66-19023 was assigned to New Cumberland Army Depot (NCAD), 1st Army, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

   In January 1967, 66-19023 was transferred to the 177th Aviation Company, 3rd Army, located at Fort Benning, Georgia.

   In March 1967, 66-19023 was assigned to Post Supply, 6th Army, located at Fort Ord, California.

   In April 1967, 66-19023 was assigned to the Army Aviation Division, 6th Army, located at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah.

   In June 1967, 66-19023 was assigned to the United States Army Republic of Vietnam (USARV) Flight Detachment, located in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN).

   In August 1967, 66-19023 was bailed to Bell Helicopter, in the RVN.

   In September 1967, 66-19023 was assigned to the 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Muleskinners", in the RVN.

   On 20 September 1967, 66-19023 was conducting a sling load resupply mission. While on approach to a landing zone (LZ) at 2000 feet and 80 knots, 66-19023 was was hit by a single round by a gun launched, non-explosive, ballistic projectile less than 20 mm in size (7.62 mm). The airframe was struck on the right side, damaging the structure and flight control components. The mission was completed and the aircraft was later repaired in theater. At this point, 66-19023 had accumulated 197.0 total aircraft hours.

   On 22 September 1967, 66-19023 was conducting a sling load resupply mission. While landing, the airframe took one hit in the forward area by a gun launched, non-explosive, ballistic projectile less than 20 mm in size (7.62mm), damaging the Main Rotor System. The aircraft completed the mission and was later repaired in theater.

   On 23 October 1967, 66-19023 was conducting a resupply mission to a forward area. While in level flight at an unknown altitude and at 95 knots, 66-19023 took two hits by a gun launched, non-explosive, ballistic projectile less than 20 mm in size (7.62 mm), damaging the structure. The mission was completed and the aircraft was later repaired in theater. At this point, 66-19023 had accumulated 288.0 total aircraft hours.

   On 25 January 1968, while conducting a resupply mission, 66-19023 struck by small arms fire. While on take-off at 300 feet, the airframe received 1 hit by a gun launched, non-explosive, ballistic projectile less than 20 mm in size (7.62 mm). The left side of the helicopter was struck. The impact on the mission is unknown. At this point, 66-19023 had accumulated 489.0 total aircraft hours.

   4 September 1968, 66-19023 was on a resupply mission. At 700 feet and 60 knots, the aircraft received 4 hits by gun launched, non-explosive, ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size (7.62 mm), damaging the passenger cargo section. The aircraft diverted prior to completing the mission objectives and was later repaired in theater. At this point, 66-19023 had accumulated 1,085.0 total aircraft hours.

   On 24 January 1969, 66-19023 was on a resupply mission. At 2,800 feet and 100 knots, 66-19023 received two hits by gun launched, non-explosive, ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size (7.62 mm), damaging the bottom of the aircraft. The mission was completed and the airframe was later repaired in theater. At this point, 66-19023 had accumulated 1,380.0 total aircraft hours.

   On 26 February 1969, 66-19023 was damaged in an attack while located at Cu Chi. North Vietnamese forces penetrated the company area and placed satchel charges near most of the unit aircraft. Several were destroyed, others received extensive damage. Damaged by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) hit in the forward pylon, but repairable, 66-19023 was transported to another repair facility, "Hotel-3" at Long Bien (RVN), and replaced by 66-19075.

   In April 1969, 66-19023 was transferred to NCAD for repairs.

   On or about August 1970, 66-19023 was assigned to the 4th Aviation Company, 15th Aviation Group, 7th Army, United States Army Europe (USAREUR), in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) (West Germany), and remained there until it was lost due to an accident near Pegnitz, FRG, on 18 August 1971.

   The crash occurred when elements of the Heavy Mortar Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, were being transported from Ludwigsburg to Grafenwoehr for live fire training exercises.

   At some point enroute, the aft rotor system malfunctioned and the helicopter crashed and exploded, killing all 37 soles on board.

   A aft rotor blade was slung from the rotor head.

   At some point prior to the accident a blade on the aft rotor system was determined unservicable and condemed. The blade was removed and turned into the supply system. Through some sort of clerical error, it has been reported the same blade was received via the supply system and reinstalled on the 66-19023. While enroute to Grafenwoehr, the blade failed.

   The last known location of 66-19023 was in the Federal Republic of Germany.

   Aircraft status: Crashed.