Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number
66-16038
The Army purchased this helicopter 0267
Total flight hours at this point: 00000172
Date: 11/15/67
Unit: A/3/17 CAV
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Miscellaneous mission for Training Flight
Unknown this helicopter was at Hover at 0005 feet and 000 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles
less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Cockpit
Systems damaged were: UNK
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or
updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter
database. Also: UH1P2, 74090 ()
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16038
The Army purchased this helicopter 0267
Total flight hours at this point: 00002490
Date: 02/24/71
Incident number: 710224211ACD Accident case number: 710224211 Total loss or
fatality Accident
Unit: A/3/17 CAV
The station for this helicopter was Quan Loi in South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: XT762883
Number killed in accident = 7 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 3
costing 590945
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 WO1 GOELZ STEVEN WILLIAM KIA
CP WO1 BENNETT THOMAS EVANS KIA
CE SP4 GREEN VERNON ANDREW KIA
G SP4 KEYS MICHAEL HENRY KIA
PX SP5 JAKEL CRAIG JAMES KIA
Passengers:
CPT WILSHER JOSEPH MICHAEL, AR, PP, KIA; WO1 HAKES CLARENCE DEAN, AR, PP, KIA;
Accident Summary:
^WO1 GOELZ^ PERSON IN CAHRGE OF ^038^ WAS ENROUTE TO QUAN LOI, LEAVING PHU LOI APPROXIMATELY AT 1750 HOURS ON 24 FEBRUARTY 1971. HE OBTAINED AN ASR VECTOR FROM PHUOC VINH GCA PROBABLY BECAUSE PIREPS WERE INDICATION A LARGE STORM MOVING FROM THE SSW TOWARD THE NA LOC, WUAN LOI AREA. THE PHUOC VINH RADAR OPERATOR ATTEMPTED TO VECTOR ^038^ AROUND THE APPARENT STORM CELLS, BUT WITH DIFFICUTLY. HE WAS UNABLE TO PICK UP A TRANSPONDER SIGNAL FROM ^038^ SO HE LOWERED HIS SCREEN INTENSITY IN AN EFFORT TO UTILITZE ONLY THE IMAGE PRODUCED BY HIS RADAR. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT REACHED THE QUAN LOI AREA THE PILOT REQUESTED TO DESCEND TO 1700 FEET. AT THIS TIME RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AND THE RADAR OPERATOR BEGAN CALLING ^038^ ON GUARD. AIRCRAFT ^038^ APPROACHED THE AN LOC AIRSTRIP ON A HEADING OF ABOUT 260 DEGREES, (THE AIRSTRIP RUNNING 05 AND 23.) IT APPEARED TO BE MAKING A NORMAL APPROACH. THEN ABOUT 20 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND THE AIRCRAFT YAWED TO THE RIGHT, (A SMALL EXPLOSION WASHEARD AND FIRE WAS SIGHTED AT THIS TIME), DIPPED ITS NOSE TO ABOUT 045 DEGREES BELOW THE HORIZON, ROLLED SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT AND FELL STRAIGHT DOWN EXPLODING UPON IMPACT. THE CRASH DISTRIBUTION WAS EXTEEMELY COMPACT INDICATING VERY LITTTLE IF ANY FORWARD GROUND SPEED. UPON IMPACT THE ENGINE LEFT THE AIRCRAFT ROLLING BACKWARD, PAST THE TAILBOOM. ALSO THE RIGHT CARGO DOOR FLEW UP AND BEHIND THE AIRCRAFT. IT MAY BE NOTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT SLIDE THROUGH THE PERIMETER WIRE BUT REMAINED IN THE AREA OF INITIAL IMPACT. THE PILOT AND CO-POLIT WERE CONTAINED WITHIN THE CAVIN AREA. THREE OF THE PASSENGERS WERE FOUND BENEATH THE REANSMISSION COMPONENTS THE OTHER TWO WERE THROWN OUT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED HERE THAT THE MAIN ROTOR AND TRANSMISION COMPONENTS WERE INITIALLY WITH THE MAIN WREAKAGE. IT WAS MOVED IN ORDER TO FACILITATE REMOVAL OF THREE BODIES.\\
This record was last updated on 09/20/98
The following is crew member information for this incident:
Name: WO1 Thomas Evans Bennett
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/24/71 while performing the duty
of Co-pilot.
Age at death: 21.7
Date of Birth: 05/28/49
Home City: Boston, MA
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: A/3/17 CAV
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 70-15
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 04W-002
Short Summary: Crashed and burned on final approach to An Loc from about 20
feet. Witnesses heard an explosion. W/WO1 Goelz, E4 Green, E4 Keys.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16038
SSN: 026421985
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 100B = Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot
Primary cause: A/C Accident
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: vehicular accident
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 07/17/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
The initial status of this person was: no previous report
Length of service: *
Location: Binh Long Province III Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XT760891
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: WO1 Steven William Goelz
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/24/71 while performing the duty
of Pilot.
Age at death: 21.6
Date of Birth: 07/18/49
Home City: Morton, MN
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: A/3/17 CAV
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 70-23/70-21
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 04W-002
Short Summary: Crashed on short final to An Loc from about 20 feet after
witnesses heard an explosion and saw a fire. W/WO1 Bennett, E4 Green, E4 Keys
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16038
SSN: 477585965
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 100B = Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot
Primary cause: A/C Accident
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: vehicular accident
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 08/30/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot
The initial status of this person was: no previous report
Length of service: *
Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XT760891
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes
married 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 07/29/94
Name: SP4 Vernon Andrew Green
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/24/71 while performing the duty
of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 20.6
Date of Birth: 07/30/50
Home City: Muncy, PA
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: A/3/17 CAV
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 04W-002
Short Summary: Crashed & burned on short final into An Loc after an
explosion & fire. W/WO1 Goelz, WO1 Bennett, E4 Keys, CPT Wilsher, WO1
Hakes, Jakel
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16038
SSN: 196382679
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 05B20 = Radio Operator
Primary cause: A/C Accident
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: vehicular accident
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 10/17/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
The initial status of this person was: no previous report
Length of service: *
Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XT760891
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: enlisted personnel
This record was last updated on 07/24/94
Name: WO1 Clarence Dean Hakes
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/24/71 while performing the duty
of Pilot Passenger.
Age at death: 30.2
Date of Birth: 12/23/40
Home City: Isanti, MN
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: A/3/17 CAV
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 70-9/70-7
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 04W-002
Short Summary: Kia as a helicopter passenger on short final into An Loc.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16038
SSN: 471467304
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 100B = Utility/Observation Helicopter Pilot
Primary cause: A/C Accident
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: vehicular accident
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 11/17/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
The initial status of this person was: no previous report
Length of service: *
Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XT760891
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: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 07/17/94
Name: SP5 Craig James Jakel
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/24/71 while performing the duty
of Passenger.
Age at death: 23.7
Date of Birth: 05/28/47
Home City: Eggertsville, NY
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: A/3/17 CAV
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 04W-003
Short Summary: Crashed & burned on short final at An Loc after explosion
& fire. W/WO1 Goelz, WO1 Bennett, E4 Green, E4 Keys, CPT Wilsher, WO1
Hakes.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16038
SSN: 078405218
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 76T20
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: vehicular accident
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 02/17/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
The initial status of this person was: no previous report
Length of service: *
Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XT760891
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 07/17/94
Name: SP4 Michael Henry Keys
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/24/71 while performing the duty
of Gunner.
Age at death: 21.3
Date of Birth: 11/08/49
Home City: Manson, WA
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: A/3/17 CAV
Major organization: 173rd Airborne Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 04W-003
Short Summary: Crash & burned on short final to An Loc after explosion
& fire. W/WO1 Goelz, WO1 Bennett, CPT Wilsher, WO1 Hakes, E4 Green,E4
Keys,Jakel
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16038
SSN: 553487490
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67Y20 = AH-1 Attack Helicopter Repairer
Primary cause: A/C Accident
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: vehicular accident
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 07/23/70
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
The initial status of this person was: no previous report
Length of service: *
Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XT760891
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 07/28/94
Name: CPT Joseph Michael Wilsher (posthumously promoted)
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 02/24/71 while performing the duty
of Pilot Passenger.
Age at death: 29.7
Date of Birth: 06/09/41
Home City: Edinburg, TX
Service: TC branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: A/3/17 CAV
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 67-11
Service: TC branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 04W-003
Short Summary: KIA as a helicopter passenger on short final into An Loc.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16038
SSN: 449662616
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander)
Primary cause: A/C Accident
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: vehicular accident
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 01/23/71
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
The initial status of this person was: no previous report
Length of service: *
Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XT760891
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Church of Christ
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 07/17/94
The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1D tail
number 66-16038
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 0267.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY
6702 0 1 W0Y6AA TRAN MDMHELCO S ALASKA ALASKA
6703 0 1 W0Y6AA TRAN MDMHELCO S ALASKA ALASKA
6704 5 6 W0US4T HQ 3 SQDN 17CAV 1STARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY
6705 20 26 W0US4T HQ 3 SQDN 17CAV 1STARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY
6706 48 74 W0US4T HQ 3 SQDN 17CAV 1STARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY
6707 35 109 1405 USARV FLT DET VIETNAM RVN
6708 37 146 1405 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM
6709 0 146 W0US4T HQ 3 SQDN 17CAV 1STARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY
6710 1 147 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6711 25 172 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6712 72 244 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6801 30 274 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6802 48 322 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6803 38 360 WAAMT0 HQTRP 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6804 43 403 WAAMT0 HQTRP 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6805 21 424 WAAMT0 HQTRP 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6806 26 450 WAAMT0 HQTRP 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6807 76 526 WAAMT0 HQTRP 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6808 81 607 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6809 78 685 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6810 73 758 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6811 60 818 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6812 52 870 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6901 44 914 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6902 93 1007 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6903 99 1106 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6904 76 1182 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6905 82 1264 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6906 68 1332 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6907 75 1407 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6908 72 1479 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6909 59 1538 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6910 64 1602 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6911 76 1678 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
6912 32 1710 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7001 97 1807 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7002 103 1910 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7003 102 2012 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7004 40 2052 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7005 56 2108 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7006 11 2119 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7007 73 2192 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7008 71 2263 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7009 55 2318 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7010 65 2383 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7011 34 2417 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7012 53 2470 WAAMA0 TRP A 3SQ 17CAV VIETNAM RVN
7101 20 2490 WAAMA0 3 17 AC SQ A TP VIETNAM RVN
Please send additions or corrections to:
VHPA Head Quarters or Gary Roush or Mike Law
Printed from databases on: 08/27/00
Copyright © 1998, 1999 and 2000 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association