United States Army Lieutenant Colonel. He was killed in action in South Vietnam.
==========
CRASH INFORMATION ON U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER UH-1D TAIL NUMBER 64-13883
Accident Summary: Crew members include OB Butler, LTC Roger H. Coye (KIA), and SP4 Edward P. Stefanik (KIA). Passengers andor other participants included SP4 Melvin D. Duty (KIA), PFC Lawrence E. Fowler (KIA), SP4 Paul C. Hamby (KIA), MAJ William A. Hendon (KIA), SP4 Thomas J. Klemp (KIA), SGM James H. Shannon (KIA), and CAPT William J. Wilders (KIA). Aircraft hit trees and building on takeoff, crashed and burned. Supplemental information: aircraft lost RPM shortly after takeoff possibly from overloading. Maintenance deficiency - engine trim check were not maintained per USARV Reg 385 40. Aircraft overloaded, crew did not use go-no-go check. Improper recovery from low RPM condition. Eye witness account: I just read the report concerning this accident. I believe additional information is needed with regards to the circumstances that may have been a factor as to why the accident occurred. I was there the day the helicopter crashed. I was an RTO for the Captain who was in charge of the air lift. The first lift of twenty five helicopters had taken off, but the helicopter assigned to be our Command and Control ship had not arrived. It was being refueled. While the refueling was taking place, the twenty five helicopters had reached the forward LZ and had unloaded the members of our battalion they had ferried to that location. This was done as they were all being fired on by the enemy. Our Battalion Commanded radioed to my Captain that they were receiving enemy fire. This radio call was also being monitored by the men who were going on the C&C ship when it arrived. Shortly after this radio message, we could hear the returning twenty five helicopters far off in the distance. At the same time, the assigned C&C arrived at our location. The C&C ship took on its’ passengers, then flew towards the tree line at the end of the airstrip. I think the mindset of the helicopter pilots, our unit's S-3 Officer and our Sergeant Major was to get to the forward LZ as soon as they could despite the craft being over loaded. They took the risk and lost. Had the forward LZ not been under fire, I don't think this accident would have occurred. There would have been no reason to take such a risk. The improper trim setting and the issue of not following proper procedures, to me, is not the mark of a bad pilot in this case. I think it is more likely the pilot was doing everything he knew to do to keep the craft in the air. To me, these men were focused on trying to get to the forward area where they knew they were needed. Their collective concern and their bravery led to this unfortunate tragedy. As an added comment, two days after this crash, my unit was in a fight for its life and running low on ammunition. Despite very heavy enemy fire, a chopper pilot landed with the much needed ammunition. One of the pilots and one of the door gunners were both either killed or wounded. It was almost suicidal to make that landing, yet it was made. I have the greatest respect for all the helicopter pilots that fought in Vietnam. Sincerely, Jim Austin 1st Infantry Division [Taken from vhpa.org]
==========
CRASH INFORMATION ON U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER UH-1D TAIL NUMBER 64-13883
Accident Summary: Crew members include OB Butler, LTC Roger H. Coye (KIA), and SP4 Edward P. Stefanik (KIA). Passengers andor other participants included SP4 Melvin D. Duty (KIA), PFC Lawrence E. Fowler (KIA), SP4 Paul C. Hamby (KIA), MAJ William A. Hendon (KIA), SP4 Thomas J. Klemp (KIA), SGM James H. Shannon (KIA), and CAPT William J. Wilders (KIA). Aircraft hit trees and building on takeoff, crashed and burned. Supplemental information: aircraft lost RPM shortly after takeoff possibly from overloading. Maintenance deficiency - engine trim check were not maintained per USARV Reg 385 40. Aircraft overloaded, crew did not use go-no-go check. Improper recovery from low RPM condition. Eye witness account: I just read the report concerning this accident. I believe additional information is needed with regards to the circumstances that may have been a factor as to why the accident occurred. I was there the day the helicopter crashed. I was an RTO for the Captain who was in charge of the air lift. The first lift of twenty five helicopters had taken off, but the helicopter assigned to be our Command and Control ship had not arrived. It was being refueled. While the refueling was taking place, the twenty five helicopters had reached the forward LZ and had unloaded the members of our battalion they had ferried to that location. This was done as they were all being fired on by the enemy. Our Battalion Commanded radioed to my Captain that they were receiving enemy fire. This radio call was also being monitored by the men who were going on the C&C ship when it arrived. Shortly after this radio message, we could hear the returning twenty five helicopters far off in the distance. At the same time, the assigned C&C arrived at our location. The C&C ship took on its’ passengers, then flew towards the tree line at the end of the airstrip. I think the mindset of the helicopter pilots, our unit's S-3 Officer and our Sergeant Major was to get to the forward LZ as soon as they could despite the craft being over loaded. They took the risk and lost. Had the forward LZ not been under fire, I don't think this accident would have occurred. There would have been no reason to take such a risk. The improper trim setting and the issue of not following proper procedures, to me, is not the mark of a bad pilot in this case. I think it is more likely the pilot was doing everything he knew to do to keep the craft in the air. To me, these men were focused on trying to get to the forward area where they knew they were needed. Their collective concern and their bravery led to this unfortunate tragedy. As an added comment, two days after this crash, my unit was in a fight for its life and running low on ammunition. Despite very heavy enemy fire, a chopper pilot landed with the much needed ammunition. One of the pilots and one of the door gunners were both either killed or wounded. It was almost suicidal to make that landing, yet it was made. I have the greatest respect for all the helicopter pilots that fought in Vietnam. Sincerely, Jim Austin 1st Infantry Division [Taken from vhpa.org]
United States Army Lieutenant Colonel. He was killed in action in South Vietnam.
==========
CRASH INFORMATION ON U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER UH-1D TAIL NUMBER 64-13883
Accident Summary: Crew members include OB Butler, LTC Roger H. Coye (KIA), and SP4 Edward P. Stefanik (KIA). Passengers andor other participants included SP4 Melvin D. Duty (KIA), PFC Lawrence E. Fowler (KIA), SP4 Paul C. Hamby (KIA), MAJ William A. Hendon (KIA), SP4 Thomas J. Klemp (KIA), SGM James H. Shannon (KIA), and CAPT William J. Wilders (KIA). Aircraft hit trees and building on takeoff, crashed and burned. Supplemental information: aircraft lost RPM shortly after takeoff possibly from overloading. Maintenance deficiency - engine trim check were not maintained per USARV Reg 385 40. Aircraft overloaded, crew did not use go-no-go check. Improper recovery from low RPM condition. Eye witness account: I just read the report concerning this accident. I believe additional information is needed with regards to the circumstances that may have been a factor as to why the accident occurred. I was there the day the helicopter crashed. I was an RTO for the Captain who was in charge of the air lift. The first lift of twenty five helicopters had taken off, but the helicopter assigned to be our Command and Control ship had not arrived. It was being refueled. While the refueling was taking place, the twenty five helicopters had reached the forward LZ and had unloaded the members of our battalion they had ferried to that location. This was done as they were all being fired on by the enemy. Our Battalion Commanded radioed to my Captain that they were receiving enemy fire. This radio call was also being monitored by the men who were going on the C&C ship when it arrived. Shortly after this radio message, we could hear the returning twenty five helicopters far off in the distance. At the same time, the assigned C&C arrived at our location. The C&C ship took on its’ passengers, then flew towards the tree line at the end of the airstrip. I think the mindset of the helicopter pilots, our unit's S-3 Officer and our Sergeant Major was to get to the forward LZ as soon as they could despite the craft being over loaded. They took the risk and lost. Had the forward LZ not been under fire, I don't think this accident would have occurred. There would have been no reason to take such a risk. The improper trim setting and the issue of not following proper procedures, to me, is not the mark of a bad pilot in this case. I think it is more likely the pilot was doing everything he knew to do to keep the craft in the air. To me, these men were focused on trying to get to the forward area where they knew they were needed. Their collective concern and their bravery led to this unfortunate tragedy. As an added comment, two days after this crash, my unit was in a fight for its life and running low on ammunition. Despite very heavy enemy fire, a chopper pilot landed with the much needed ammunition. One of the pilots and one of the door gunners were both either killed or wounded. It was almost suicidal to make that landing, yet it was made. I have the greatest respect for all the helicopter pilots that fought in Vietnam. Sincerely, Jim Austin 1st Infantry Division [Taken from vhpa.org]
==========
CRASH INFORMATION ON U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER UH-1D TAIL NUMBER 64-13883
Accident Summary: Crew members include OB Butler, LTC Roger H. Coye (KIA), and SP4 Edward P. Stefanik (KIA). Passengers andor other participants included SP4 Melvin D. Duty (KIA), PFC Lawrence E. Fowler (KIA), SP4 Paul C. Hamby (KIA), MAJ William A. Hendon (KIA), SP4 Thomas J. Klemp (KIA), SGM James H. Shannon (KIA), and CAPT William J. Wilders (KIA). Aircraft hit trees and building on takeoff, crashed and burned. Supplemental information: aircraft lost RPM shortly after takeoff possibly from overloading. Maintenance deficiency - engine trim check were not maintained per USARV Reg 385 40. Aircraft overloaded, crew did not use go-no-go check. Improper recovery from low RPM condition. Eye witness account: I just read the report concerning this accident. I believe additional information is needed with regards to the circumstances that may have been a factor as to why the accident occurred. I was there the day the helicopter crashed. I was an RTO for the Captain who was in charge of the air lift. The first lift of twenty five helicopters had taken off, but the helicopter assigned to be our Command and Control ship had not arrived. It was being refueled. While the refueling was taking place, the twenty five helicopters had reached the forward LZ and had unloaded the members of our battalion they had ferried to that location. This was done as they were all being fired on by the enemy. Our Battalion Commanded radioed to my Captain that they were receiving enemy fire. This radio call was also being monitored by the men who were going on the C&C ship when it arrived. Shortly after this radio message, we could hear the returning twenty five helicopters far off in the distance. At the same time, the assigned C&C arrived at our location. The C&C ship took on its’ passengers, then flew towards the tree line at the end of the airstrip. I think the mindset of the helicopter pilots, our unit's S-3 Officer and our Sergeant Major was to get to the forward LZ as soon as they could despite the craft being over loaded. They took the risk and lost. Had the forward LZ not been under fire, I don't think this accident would have occurred. There would have been no reason to take such a risk. The improper trim setting and the issue of not following proper procedures, to me, is not the mark of a bad pilot in this case. I think it is more likely the pilot was doing everything he knew to do to keep the craft in the air. To me, these men were focused on trying to get to the forward area where they knew they were needed. Their collective concern and their bravery led to this unfortunate tragedy. As an added comment, two days after this crash, my unit was in a fight for its life and running low on ammunition. Despite very heavy enemy fire, a chopper pilot landed with the much needed ammunition. One of the pilots and one of the door gunners were both either killed or wounded. It was almost suicidal to make that landing, yet it was made. I have the greatest respect for all the helicopter pilots that fought in Vietnam. Sincerely, Jim Austin 1st Infantry Division [Taken from vhpa.org]
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
