67-18518

 

 

         
A unit patch from the 196th Aviation Company - "Flippers", from their days in the Republic of Vietnam.
Property of the

196th Aviation Company - "Flippers"

(Assault Support Helicopter Company)

Camp Lane, Republic of Vietnam

 

 

         
A unit patch from the 180th Aviation Company - "Big Windy", from their days in the Republic of Vietnam.
Property of the

180th Aviation Company - "Big Windy"

(Assault Support Helicopter Company)

Phu Hiep, Republic of Vietnam

 

 

         
CH-47A Chinook helicopter 67-18518 sitting on the ground at what is thought to be An Khe in the Republic of Vietnam, approximately early 1970. 67-18518 had suffered from some unknown mechanical difficulty that required the aircraft to be air lifted out for maintenance. At the time, 67-18518 was owned and operated by the 196th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Flippers". The location of where the aircraft was transported to is unknown.

             CH-47A Chinook helicopter 67-18518 sitting on the ground at what is thought to be An Khe in the Republic of Vietnam, approximately early 1970. 67-18518 had suffered from some unknown mechanical difficulty that required the aircraft to be air lifted out for maintenance. At the time, 67-18518 was owned and operated by the 196th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Flippers". The location of where the aircraft was transported to is unknown. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

             67-18518, Boeing build number B-488, was a CH-47C helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 16 May 1968. 67-18518 accumulated at least 757.0 aircraft hours.

   At some point, 67-18518 was assigned to the 196th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Flippers", located at Camp Lane, in the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), through an unknown end date.

   At some point, 67-18518 was assigned to the 180th ASHC - "Big Windy" and remained there until it was lost due to an accident on 5 March 1971.



UNEDITED EXTRACT FROM ACCIDENT REPORT:

ON MARCH 5 AT APPROXIMATELY 1340 HOURS A MID AIR COLLISION TOOK PACE BETWEEN A CH-47C AND A ROKA O-1D. THE O-1D TOOK OFF TO THE NORTH FROM TIGER STRIP. BR 948208, AND MADE A LEFT TURN AND FLEW OVER LANE ARMY AIRFIELD APPROXIMATELY FIVE (5) MINUTES BEFORE THE CRASH: SEE STATEMENTS ONE (1) AND TWO (2). THE O-1D FLEW SOUTH AND THROUGH A PASS WEST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE AND WAS IN A LEFT DESCENDING TURN LOOKING FOR RED SMOKE; SEE STATEMENTS THREE(3) AND FOUR(4). THE CH-47C TOOK OFF FROM 3RD BATTALION CAVALRY REGIMENT AND WAS DUE AT THE RECON PAD AT 1345 SEE STATEMENT ONE (1). AT 1335 THE CH-47C CALLED LT. GOODMAN THE ROKA LIAISON OFFICER, ON FM FIVE (5) MINUTES OUT FROM THE RECON PAD. THE CH-47C ALSO CALLED LANE TOWER FIVE (5) MILES SOUTHWEST FOR LANDING. THE TOWER HAVE THE WIND 100 AT 5. AT THE SAME TIME LUCKY 660 CALLED QSY TO LANE TOWER AND BIG WINDY 518 REQUESTED THAT THE TOWER ALLOW HIM TO TALK TO LUCK 660 AND THE TOWER APPROVED IT. BIG WINDY 26 ASKED LUCKY 42 TO THANK LUCKY 44 FOR SOME KILLS HE GOT THE OTHER DAY; SEE STATEMENTS EIGHT (8) AND NONE (9). AT 1340 A MID AIR BETWEEN THE CH-47C AND THE O-1D TOOK PACE AT BR934209. THE O-1D CONTACTED THE LEFT REAR CENTER OF THE CH47 ON A 45 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE FLIGHT PATH ON A SLIGHT DEGREE OF DESCENT WHILE IN A LEFT DESCENDING TURN; SEE STATEMENTS THREE(3), FOUR (4) AND SIX (6). THE IMPACT KNOCKED THE LEFT ENGINE OFF THE CH47C AND RUPTURED THE FUEL CELL AND THE CH-47C CAUGHT FIRE. THE CH-47C AFT ROTOR BLADE TORE THE RIGHT WING AND THE ENGINE OFF THE O-1D; SEE STATEMENT FOUR (4), PICTURE A DIAGRAM. THE O-1D DROPPED DOWN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CH-47C AND FLIPPED OVER AND FELL STRAIGHT TO THE GROUND IMPACTING INVERTED FACING WEST AT BR 934109; SEE STATEMENT FOUR (4). ON IMPACT WITH THE GROUND THE O-1D EXPLODED AND BURNED; SEE STATEMENT FIVE (5) AND PICTURE B. THE CH-47C BLADES LOST SYNCHRONIZATION AND MESHED DUE TO LOSS OF BLADES WHEN THE O-1D IMPACTED THE CH-47C; SEE DIAGRAMS AND PICTURE TAB 9. AS THE CH-47 DESCENDED IN FLAMES A PORTION OF THE AFT PYLON WITH THE AFT VERTICAL SHAFT BROKE OFF AND UMPACTED THE GROUND AT THE UPPER PORTION OF THE CRASH SITE. THE REMAINDER OF THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND AT THE LOWER RIGHT CENTER OF THE CRASH SITE IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE WITH THE CO-PILOT CHIN BUBBLE IMPALING ON A STUMP, HEADING 140 DEGEEES; SEE STATEMENT SEVEN (7) PICTURE I, AT WHICH TIME THE RAMP AREA BROKE OFF AT STATION 160 AND BURNED; SEE DIAGRAM FOUR (4) AND PICTURE H. THE REMAINDER OF THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO SLIDE DOWN THE HILL UNTIL ITS MOVEMENT WAS STOPPED BY ROCKS. THE MOMENTUM CAUSED THE FORWARD CABIN SECTION AND MAIN FUSELAGE TO SEPARATE AT STATION 482: SEE DIAGRAM D AND PICTURE I. THE FORWARD TRANSMISSION WITH THE ROTOR LOSE AND CONTINUED TO SLIDE DUE TO MONEMTUM AND CAME TO TEST AT THE LOWER PORTION OF THE CRASH SITE; SEE DIAGRAM 4 AND PICTURE G. THE ENTIRE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE.



   The statements, diagrams, and crash scene photogrpahs are not available at this time and historians are looking to obtain these in the future.

   The last known location of 67-18518 was in the Republic of Vietnam.

   Aircraft status: Crashed.

 

 

          Photographs from an Aerial Recovery (Early 1970)

 

 

         
A CH-54 "Skycrane", thought to be from the 355th Aviation Company, was initially called in to perform the air transport (sling load) of 67-18518. The crew of the Crane went so far as to paint a silhouette of a "Tarhe" on the nose of 67-18518. However, the Crane could not lift the downed Chinook and another unit was then assigned the task. The 180th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Big Windy", from Phu Hiep, Republic of Vietnam, came to the rescue.

             A CH-54 "Skycrane", thought to be from the 355th Aviation Company, was initially called in to perform the air transport (sling load) of 67-18518. The crew of the Crane went so far as to paint a silhouette of a "Tarhe" on the nose of 67-18518. However, the Crane could not lift the downed Chinook and another unit was then assigned the task. The 180th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Big Windy", from Phu Hiep, Republic of Vietnam, came to the rescue. When the crew of 68-15869 arrived, they crossed out the silhouette best they could and wrote their names on the airframe.

   An interesting feature also depicted in this photograph is a shot of the "relief tube" mounted under the pilots seat (looks like a funnel with a hose attached). These piss tubes were designed as a creature comfort for the flight crews. There was one on each of the pilot's seats and one in the back (on the ramp - right side STA 482) for the flight engineer/crew chief. The one in the back worked great because one could stand up while doing your business. The one on the pilot's seat - not so good. The pilot usually ended up peeing all over himself and the seat/cockpit, so nobody used them unless they really had to go. They were installed on A through C model variants and were no longer part of the Chinook from D models and later versions of the Chinook. Another significant issue was the corrosion to the airframe due to the urine spraying down the underside of the belly. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

         
A crewed of young mechanics and flight crews prepare 67-18518 for the sling load air transport.

             A crewed of young mechanics and flight crews prepare 67-18518 for the sling load air transport. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

         
Two soldiers stand ready on the top of 67-18518 to attach the sling to the cargo hook of 68-15869 awaiting nearby.

             Two soldiers stand ready on the top of 67-18518 to attach the sling to the cargo hook of 68-15869 awaiting nearby. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

         
A photograph snapped as 68-15869 hovers close reveals the crew on top of 67-18518 and the exposed drive (sync) shafts and flight control tubes in the tunnel area.

             A photograph snapped as 68-15869 hovers close reveals the crew on top of 67-18518 and the exposed drive (sync) shafts and flight control tubes in the tunnel area. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

         
68-15869 approaches 67-18518 as the crew stands topside ready for the hook up.

             68-15869 approaches 67-18518 as the crew stands topside ready for the hook up. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

         
68-15869 centers up on 67-18518 and the crew attaches the sling to the cargo hook.

             68-15869 centers up on 67-18518 and the crew attaches the sling to the cargo hook. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

         
68-15869 gently increases altitude and pulls the sling tight on 67-18518.

             68-15869 gently increases altitude and pulls the sling tight on 67-18518. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

         
68-15869 further increases altitude and now has 67-18518 off the ground.

             68-15869 further increases altitude and now has 67-18518 off the ground. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

         
68-15869 lifts 67-18518 higher and higher as they prepare to takeoff. The line leading off to the lower left in the image is connected to a drag chute used to stabilize an aerodynamic load while in flight. It should trail behind the load to prevent it from rotating in circles which could otherwise cause the sling to fail.

             68-15869 lifts 67-18518 higher and higher as they prepare to takeoff. The line leading off to the lower left in the image is connected to a drag chute used to stabilize an aerodynamic load while in flight. It should trail behind the load to prevent it from rotating in circles which could otherwise cause the sling to fail. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

         
68-15869 is about to depart with 67-18518. In this image one can see the drag chute has blown forward and wrapped itself around the landing gear. Sometimes things don't work out as planned and you have go with what you've got.

             68-15869 is about to depart with 67-18518. In this image one can see the drag chute has blown forward and wrapped itself around the landing gear. Sometimes things don't work out as planned and you have go with what you've got. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

         
The flight departs to a destination unknown. 67-18518 will live to fly for another year before the crash.

             The flight departs to a destination unknown. 67-18518 will live to fly for another year before the crash. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

         
SP4 Joyce (left) and SP5 Dale Jett, part of the recovery team, patiently await their return flight to Phu Hiep after the successful airlift operation of 67-18518. SP5 Jett (age 19) was the night flight line maintenance team chief with the 180th ASHC from April 1969 to April 1970. He contributed all the above images and information for inclusion on this site.

             SP4 Joyce (left) and SP5 Dale Jett, part of the recovery team, patiently await their return flight to Phu Hiep after the successful airlift operation of 67-18518. SP5 Jett (age 19) was the night flight line maintenance team chief with the 180th ASHC from April 1969 to April 1970. He contributed all the above images and information for inclusion on this site. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

          This aircraft was piloted by:

 

          CPT Barry Mercer Straw, Pilot, 1971, KIA

 

          CPT Ralph Leland Ward, Pilot, 1971, KIA

 

          Your Name Here.

 

 

          This aircraft was crewed by:

 

          SP5 Gary Gale Prentice, Flight Engineer, 1971, KIA

 

          SP5 Richard Samuel Dennison, Crew Chief, 1971, KIA

 

          SP4 Edward Lee Rayburn, Door Gunner, 1971, KIA

 

          Your Name Here.

 

 

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          Sling Loads

 

 

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