Helicopter CH-47C 68-15824

Information on U.S. Army helicopter CH-47C tail number 68-15824
The Army purchased this helicopter 1068
Total flight hours at this point: 00000373
Date: 08/22/69
Incident number: 690822261ACD Accident case number: 690822261 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 213 ASHC
This was a Accident incident.
The station for this helicopter was Phu Loi in South Vietnam
Number killed in accident = 6 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 1838024
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 BROWN BARRETT CHAMBERLAND KIA
P 1LT CHALLBERG CURTIS PAUL KIA
CE SP5 JOHNSON ARTHUR HARRY KIA
G SP4 KUAHIWINUI MOSES IWANE JR KIA
FE SP5 BOAT MICHAEL TERRY KIA

Passengers:
SP4 KETELAAR ROBERT LEE, AR, G, KIA

Accident Summary:

ON 22 AUGUST 1969, AT 0815 HOURS, A CH-47C HELICOPTER, SN: 68-15824, BELONGING TO THE 213TH AVIATION COMPANY( ASLT SPT HEL), PHY LOI, RVN, WAS CONDUCTING A ROUTINE AIRCRAFT RECOVERY OF A U.S. AIRFORCE O-1E BIRDDOG FROM THE AIRSTRIP AT HAN QUANH, RVN NEAR AN LOC, RVN, TO BEN HOA AFB, RVN, WHEN IT CRASHED AND BURNED 8 KILOMETERS EAST OF FIRE SUPPORT BASE "THUNDER III". AT 0730 HOURS ON 22 AUGUST 1969, BLACKCAT (213TH'S CALL SIGN) 824 DEPARTED PHU LOI, RVN, FOR THE HAN QUANH AIRSTRIP. THE AIRCRAFT ARRIVED ON STATION AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE RIGGING CREW FROM THE 520TH TRANSNSPRTATION BATTALION, PHU LOI, RVN, WHO WERE PREPARING THE SLINGS ON THE O-1E. TIME OF ARRIVAL AT HAN QUANH AAS APPROXIMATELY 0750 HOURS. THE CH-47C REMAINED ON THE AIRSTRIP FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN (15) MUNUTES UNTIL THE RIGGING WAS COMPLETED. AT 0805 HOURS, THE CH-47C HOVERED OVER THE O-1E AND WAS ATTACHED BY MEANS OF TWENTY (20) FOOT SLING. THE RIGGERS STATED THAT SPOILERS WERE INSTALLED ON BOTH WINGS AND THAT THE RIGGING REMAINED INTACT UNTIL THE ACCIDENT. THE CH-47C DEPARTED THE "OFF-LOADING" AREA AND WAS FOLOWED BY THE RIGGER'S UH-1H ABOUT THREE (3) MINUTES LATER. AT LIFT-OFF THEE RIGGERS STATED THAT THE O-1E WAS A LITTLE NOSE HIGH, BUT AS THE CH-47C REACHED TRANSLATIONAL LIFT, THE O-1E STABLIZED IN A NORMAL FLIGHT ATTITUDE. AFTER LIFTING OFF FROM HAN QUANH, THE RIGGERS NOTICED THAT THEY WERE ABOUT TWO THOUSAND (2,000) METERS BEHIND THE CH-47C AND AT AN AIRSPEED OF NINETYFIVE (95) KNOTS, WITH NO APPARENT RATE OF CLOSURE. ALTITUDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1500 FEET. THE RIGGING SHIP INCREASED AIRSPEED TO 105 KNOTS AND BEGAN TO NOTICE A SLOW RATE OF CLOSURE. UP TO THIS TIME, THE O-1E WAS RIDING EXTREMELY WELL. THIS IS VERIFIED BY THE CREW OF ANOTHER UH-1H FROM THE 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT OUT OF QUAN LOI, RVN, WHO WERE ON A COURIER RUN AND HEADING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. WITNESSES, IN BOTH SHIPS, STATE THAT: THE O-1E BEGAN AN OSCILLATION LEFT AND THEN RIGHT, STABLILIZING MOMENTARILY. AT THIS TIME, THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER IN THE RIGGING SHIP TRIED TO CALL THE CH-47C, BUT AS HE DEPRESSED HIS MICROPHONE SWITCH, THE CH-47C BEGAN A SLIGHT LEFT BANK. SIMULTANEUOSLY, THE O-1E PITCHED NOSE HIGH AND CLIMBED INTO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AFT ROTOR SYSTEM, STRIKING THE REAR ROTOR WITH THE RIGHT WING. THE O-1E BURST INTO FLAMES AND DISINTEGRATED IMMEDIATELY ON IMPACT. THE CH-47C MINUS PORTIONS OF THE AFT ROTOR BLADES FELL IN A TAIL LOW ATTITUDE, INVERTING PRIOR TO IMPACT. WITNESSES STATE THAT THE FORWARD ROTOR SYSTEM WAS TURNING SLOWLY AFTER IMPACT WITH THE O-1E AND THAT THE AFT PYLON SEPARATED AT ABOUT 400 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. MOST WITNESSES STATE THAT THERE WAS A SMALL LOCALIZED FIRE ON THE LOWER RIGHT AFT SIDE OF THE CH-47C AS IT FELL THROUGH THE AIR AND THAT A LARGE EXPLOSION WITH FIRE OCCURRED UPON IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. PLACEMENT OF SECTIONS OF THE FORWARD ROTOR INDICATE THE FORWARD ROTOR CAME APART AFTER THE CRAFT INVERTED AND PRIOR TO IMPACT. EVIDENCE GATHERED AT THE CRASH SITE INDICATES THAT THE AIRCRAFT MADE CONTACT WITH THE GROUND IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE ON A 140 DEGREE HEADING FALLING THROUGH THE TREES ON APPROXIMATELY AN 85 DEGREE ANGLE FROM THE GROUND. THE FORWARD TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY FIVE (5) FEET INTO THE GROUND. THE AFT PYLON ASSEMBLY WAS LOCATED SOME 40 METERS ON A 300 DEGREE HEADING FROM THE MAIN CRASH SITE. THE UH-1H FROM THE 11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT CALLED QUAN LOI AND REQUESTED A MEDEVAC SHIP. AT 0830 THE MEDEVAC SHIP ARRIVED OVER THE CRASH SITE AND LOWERED A MEDICAL CREWMEMBER INTO THE TREES ON A JUNGLE PENETRATOR. HE COULD FIND NO SURVIVORS AND REPORTED A TOTAL DESTRUCTION. THE RIGGING SHIP REMAINED ON STATION UNTIL 0940 HOURS.\\

This record was last updated on 12/01/98

The following is crew member information for this incident:

Name: SP5 Michael Terry Boat
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/22/69 while performing the duty of Flight Engineer.
Age at death: 22.8
Date of Birth: 11/15/46
Home City: Grinnell, IA
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 213 ASHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-091
Short Summary: A sling loaded Air Force O-1E flew up into aft rotor during left turn causing crash and burn.
Aircraft: CH-47C tail number 68-15824
SSN: 484527790
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67V20 = Observation/Scout Helicopter Repairer
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew member
Started Tour: 09/21/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Binh Long Province III Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: unknown or not reported
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 07/30/95

Name: WO1 Barrett Chamberland Brown
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/22/69 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 20.8
Date of Birth: 10/19/48
Home City: Littlerock, CA
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 213 ASHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 68-515/68-27
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-091
Short Summary: A sling loaded Air Force O-1E flew up into aft rotor during left turn causing crash and burn.
Aircraft: CH-47C tail number 68-15824
SSN: 548802956 Service number: W3162947
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 100C = Cargo Helicopter Pilot
Primary cause: A/C Accident
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Started Tour: 01/06/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Location: Binh Long 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: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 07/28/94

Name: 1LT Curtis Paul Challberg
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/22/69 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 24.1
Date of Birth: 07/23/45
Home City: Love Park, IL
Service: AR branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 213 ASHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 68-520/68-36
Service: AR branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-091
Short Summary: A sling loaded Air Force O-1E flew up into aft rotor during left turn causing crash and burn.
Aircraft: CH-47C tail number 68-15824
SSN: 358360641
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: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Started Tour: 05/16/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot
Length of service: 03
Location: Binh Long Province III 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: officer
This record was last updated on 07/29/94

Name: SP5 Arthur Harry Johnson
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/22/69 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 20.6
Date of Birth: 01/10/49
Home City: Hidalgo Loop, NM
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 213 ASHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-094
Short Summary: A sling loaded Air Force O-1E flew up into aft rotor during left turn causing crash and burn.
Aircraft: CH-47C tail number 68-15824
SSN: 585469759
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67A2F = 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: 04/05/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 03
Location: Binh Long Province III Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died illness or injuries
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: SP4 Robert Lee Ketelaar
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/22/69 while performing the duty of Gunner.
Age at death: 20.5
Date of Birth: 03/07/49
Home City: Chicago, IL
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 213 ASHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-095
Short Summary: A sling loaded Air Force O-1E flew up into aft rotor during left turn causing crash and burn.
Aircraft: CH-47C tail number 68-15824
SSN: 331420132
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: 06/04/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Binh Long 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 07/30/95

Name: SP4 Moses Iwane Kuahiwinui, Jr.
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 08/22/69 while performing the duty of Gunner.
Age at death: 19.3
Date of Birth: 04/17/50
Home City: Kurtistown, HI
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 213 ASHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 19W-095
Short Summary: A sling loaded Air Force O-1E flew up into aft rotor during left turn causing crash and burn.
Aircraft: CH-47C tail number 68-15824
SSN: 575546682
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: 01/16/69
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Binh Long Province III Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Malayan
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 07/28/94

The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter CH-47C tail number 68-15824
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 1068.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6810   3    3 W0MAAA DIR FOR MAINT    1ST ARMY   NEW CUMBERLAND   AVCOM
6811   0    3 W0MAAA DIR FOR MAINT    1ST ARMY   NEW CUMBERLAND   AVCOM
6812   0    3 W0MAAA DIR FOR MAINT    1ST ARMY   NEW CUMBERLAND   AVCOM
6901   0    3 W0MAAA DIR FOR MAINT    1ST ARMY   NEW CUMBERLAND   AVCOM
6902   0    3 W0MAAA DIR FOR MAINT    1ST ARMY   NEW CUMBERLAND   AVCOM
6903   1    4 WDQLAA 213 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN
6904 109  113 WDQLAA 213 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN
6905 101  214 WDQLAA 213 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN
6906  57  271 WDQLAA 213 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN
6907 102  373 WDQLAA 213 ASLT HEL 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