Helicopter UH-1C 66-15214

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15214
The Army purchased this helicopter 0867
Total flight hours at this point: 00000428
Date: 07/19/1968
Unit: 114 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED
for Close Air Support
While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0700 feet and 090 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 Bottom
Systems damaged were: FLT CONTROLS
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P3, 20101 ()


Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15214
The Army purchased this helicopter 0867
Total flight hours at this point: 00000741
Date: 10/09/1968
Unit: 114 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Recon mission for Armed Recon
While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0200 feet and 090 knots.
Laos
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 Main Rotor Blade System
Systems damaged were: MAIN ROTOR SYS
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: UH1P3, 28301 ()


Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15214
The Army purchased this helicopter 0867
Total flight hours at this point: 00000741
Date: 10/10/1968
Unit: 114 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Recon mission for Armed Recon
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0200 feet and 085 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 3 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 Engine Compartment
Systems damaged were: MAIN ROTOR SYS
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: UH1P3, 28402 ()


Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15214
The Army purchased this helicopter 0867
Total flight hours at this point: 00000828
Date: 11/08/1968
Unit: 114 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Recon mission for Armed Recon
While On Target this helicopter was Attacking at 0350 feet and 080 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 Right Side
Systems damaged were: COMM SYS
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: UH1P3, 31301 ()


Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15214
The Army purchased this helicopter 0867
Total flight hours at this point: 00001070
Date: 02/24/1969
Unit: 114 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
for Close Air Support
While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0200 feet and 080 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 3 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 Engine Compartment
Systems damaged were: ENGINE, MAIN ROTOR SYS
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: UH1P3, 05501 ()


Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15214
The Army purchased this helicopter 0867
Total flight hours at this point: 00001563
Date: 10/08/1969
Unit: 162 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Recon mission for Armed Escort , Other Aircraft.
While Enroute this helicopter was Climbing at 0400 feet and 070 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 3 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 Right Side
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 01 WIA . .
The helicopter made a Forced Landing. Aircraft was capable of one time flight.
The aircraft was diverted or delayed after completing some mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P3, 28103 ()


Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15214
The Army purchased this helicopter 0867
Total flight hours at this point: 00001635
Date: 11/30/1969
Unit: 162 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
This was a Recon mission for Armed Escort , Other Aircraft.
While Enroute this helicopter was at Level Flight at 0200 feet and 060 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 Main Rotor Blade System
Systems damaged were: MAIN ROTOR SYS
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: UH1P3, 33402 ()


Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15214
The Army purchased this helicopter 0867
Total flight hours at this point: 00002043
Date: 04/26/1970
Incident number: 700426121ACD Accident case number: 700426121 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 162 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Dong Tam in South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: XS423517
Number killed in accident = 1 . . Injured = 3 . . Passengers = 0
costing 305215
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 OCONNOR GERARD FRANCIS KIA
P W1 STONER D
CE E4 POTTORFF B
G E4 VOLLES R

Accident Summary:

. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DESTROYING AN ENEMY BUNKER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER ESTABLISHED A COURSE OF ACTION TO DESTROY THE BUNKER. HIS DECISION WAS TO ENGAGE THE BUNKER ON A SW TO NE COURSE LINE AND DISENGAGE THE TARGET BY MAKING A LEFT BREAK. THE WIND WAS FROM THE NE. WO1 CONNER BEGAN HIS ROCKET ATTACK AT AN ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY 400' MSL. THE AVERAGE ELEVATION OF THE TARGET AREA IS APPROXIMATELY MEAN SEA LEVEL; HOWEVER TREES IN THE AREA REACH HEIGHTS OF APPROXIMATELY 50' TO 75'. WO1 O'CONNER BEGAN HIS ROCKET ATTACK AND FIRED TWO ROCKETS. BOTH ROCKETS IMPACTED BEYOND THE TARGET SO WO1O'CONNER INCREASED HIS ANGLE OF ATTACK IN AN ATTEMPT TO HIT THE TARGET BEFORE DISENGAGING THE TARGET. WHEN HE BEGAN HIS BREAK, HE WAS DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE TREES, WO1 O'CONNER STARTED A TURN TO THE LEFT AND FLARED THE AIRCRAFT IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN ALTITUDE. HOWEVER THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE TREES WITH FORWARD AIRSPEED AND PLUNGED THROUGH THE TREES IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 METERS. THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE AND ROLLED ON ITS LEFT SIDE AND BURST INTO FLAMES.\\

This record was last updated on 11/29/1998


The following is crew member information for this incident:


Name: WO1 Gerard Francis O'Connor
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 04/26/1970 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 22.5
Date of Birth: 10/20/1947
Home City: Herington, KS
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 162 AHC
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Flight class: 69-23
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 11W-065
Short Summary: Got too low on gun run and hit trees.
Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-15214
SSN: 512443170
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 100E = Attack Helicopter Pilot
Primary cause: Hostile Fire
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Started Tour: 09/14/1969
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 02
Location: Kien Hoa Province IV Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Hostile - killed
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: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 07/28/1994


The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15214
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 0867.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6708   0    0 W0Y6AA INTRANSIT        IN TRANSIT                  AVCOMCTR
6709  33   33 W05AAA 7THSQ 1ST AIRCV  1ST ARMY   FORT KNOX        1ST ARMY        
6710  51   84 W05AAA 7THSQ 1ST AIRCV  1ST ARMY   FORT KNOX        1ST ARMY        
6711  35  119 W05AAA 7THSQ 1ST AIRCV  1ST ARMY   FORT KNOX        1ST ARMY        
6712  38  157 W05AAA 7THSQ 1ST AIRCV  1ST ARMY   FORT KNOX        1ST ARMY        
6801   0  157 W05AAA 7THSQ 1ST AIRCV  1ST ARMY   FORT KNOX        1ST ARMY        
6802   0  157 3300   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY 
6803  16  173 WGZ6T0 7TH SQ 1ST CAV   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6804  81  254 WGZ6T0 7TH SQ 1ST CAV   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6805  44  298 WGZ6T0 7TH SQ 1ST CAV   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6806  56  354 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6807  74  428 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6808  85  513 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6809 116  629 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6810 112  741 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6811  87  828 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6812  76  904 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6901  88  992 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6902  78 1070 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6903  42 1112 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6904  61 1173 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6905  75 1248 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6906  68 1316 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6907  61 1377 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6908  60 1437 WAX7AA 114 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6909  43 1480 WFELAA 162 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6910  83 1563 WFELAA 162 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6911  72 1635 WFELAA 162 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6912  64 1699 WFELAA 162 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
7001  91 1790 WFELAA 162 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
7002  84 1874 WFELAA 162 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
7003  80 1954 WFELAA 162 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
7004  89 2043 WFELAA 162 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     


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