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Helicopter UH-1C 66-15124

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15124
The Army purchased this helicopter 0567
Total flight hours at this point: 00000756
Date: 07/05/1968
Accident case number: 680705091
Unit: 135th AHC
The station for this helicopter was Di An in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 29656
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC X1 CASADIO AA
P W1 DROLSHAGEN JL

Accident Summary:

At 1200 hours 5 Jul 68, I was notified by my operations officer that an aircraft accident had occurred
at the Black Horse base camp and that I was appointed as investigating officer. I went to the battalion
safety office and learned the accident involved two (2) aircraft from the 135th Assault Helicopter Company.
I called operations, was assigned an aircraft and arrived on the scene at 1415 hours. The area was marked
off with tape and none of the debris or the aircraft had been moved. My investigation revealed that
approximately 1115 hours a light fire team composed of aircraft 66-15124 and 66-15127 had taken off from
black horse at 0650 hours that morning on a mission and had returned to their own ramp for refueling and
rearming prior to going back on station. Aircraft 66-15124 was piloted by WO1 J. L. Drolshagen and the the
aircraft commander was Australian LT Anthony A. Casadio. The aircraft 66-15127 was piloted by WO1 Jessa J.
Porter and the the aircraft commander was CWO Richard T. Harrison. Upon my arrival at the scene, they were
positioned as indicated in diagram (tab f). My investigation revealed the following facts; the fire team
leader, LT Casadio, had called the tower, landed and hovered to a point in the lanes between the revetments
and both aircraft at flight idle while the armament systems were rearmed. After rearming the fire team leader,
LT Casadio called the tower and requested clearance for the team to hover at its revetments to refuel.
Investigations showed this is company SOP to refuel in the revetments. I talked with the tower operator on
duty at the time and he stated he cleared them to hover and then turned his attention to other traffic and
did not witness subsequent events. A check with combat weather team #1, detector 32, weather squadron at
Blackhorse established the weather as 6/8 cw, 1200 ft, 8/8 cirus 30,000 ft. Temp 28 degrees centigrade dewpoint
24 degrees C visibility + 6 and winds variable at 3 knots favoring the south. The investigation revealed that
aircraft 66-15124 at approximately 1138 hours brought to a hover by LT Casadio while the gunner, on the right
side of the aircraft was still putting his helmet on and therefore not in a position to advise the pilot.
The crew chief of the left side did have his helmet on and cleared the aircraft commander to the left. As
the aircraft was lifted to a hover, it drifted right and to the rear. The aircraft commander, who was piloting
the aircraft stated his intentions were to hover the aircraft, turn the tail left and hover to his revetment.
He states and it was verified that an aircraft was parked on a pad in front of the revetments at the time and he
was concentrating on staying clear of it. As the aircraft was turned to the right, it drifted rearward and at a
point about 45 degrees angle from 66-15124, the tail rotor of the hovering aircraft struck the main rotor of the
aircraft at flight idle. Upon contact, the tail rotor, 90 degrees gear box and FM antenna separated from the
aircraft landing as indicated in diagram. The hovering aircraft then lurched tail left, became uncontrollable
and the pilot lowered the pitch. The aircraft initially made contact with the ground on the right skid, bounced
to the left and landed hard on the left skid, crushing it against the aircraft belly. The aircraft came to rest
on the left rocket tube and pylong assembly and the right skid. There was no fire or injuries to the crews and
both aircraft were shut down without further incident

This record was last updated on 04/16/1997

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15124
The Army purchased this helicopter 0567
Total flight hours at this point: 00000846
Date: 10/29/1968
Unit: HHD 44 ENG GP
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED
for Close Air Support
While On Target this helicopter was Attacking at 0800 feet and 080 knots.
Unknown
Helicopter took 2 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM, 12.7MM)
Systems damaged were: FLT CONTROLS, TAIL ROTOR
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, 30301, JSIDR (Joint Services Incident Damage Report. )

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15124
The Army purchased this helicopter 0567
Total flight hours at this point: 00001054
Date: 02/03/1969
Unit: B/9 AVN 9 INF
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
for Close Air Support
While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0700 feet and 110 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 2 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 Passenger Cargo Section
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, 03403 ()

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15124
The Army purchased this helicopter 0567
Total flight hours at this point: 00001341
Date: 06/18/1969
Unit: B/9 AVN 9 INF
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
for Close Air Support
While On Target this helicopter was Attacking at 0500 feet and 080 knots.
Unknown
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: 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: UH1P3, 16902 ()

The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15124
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 0567.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY
6705 16 WFM9AA 135 AVN CO 4THARMY FORT HOOD 4TH ARMY
6706 29 WFM9AA 135 AVN CO 4THARMY FORT HOOD 4TH ARMY
6707 23 WFM9AA 135 AVN CO 4THARMY FORT HOOD 4TH ARMY
6708 25 WFM9AA 135 AVN CO 4THARMY FORT HOOD 4TH ARMY
6709 0 WFM9AA 135 AVN CO 4THARMY FORT HOOD 4TH ARMY
6710 7 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN
6711 131 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN
6712 96 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN
6801 131 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN
6802 102 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN
6803 14 3380 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY
6804 0 3380 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM
6805 80 3380 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY
6806 89 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN
6807 13 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN
6808 0 WC08AA 135 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN
6809 10 WCLSAA 388 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
6810 80 3257 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC
6811 23 WDFWB0 COB 9AV BN 9 INF VIETNAM RVN
6812 78 WDFWB0 COB 9AV BN 9 INF VIETNAM RVN
6901 67 WDFWB0 COB 9AV BN 9 INF VIETNAM RVN
6902 40 WDFWB0 COB 9AV BN 9 INF VIETNAM RVN
6903 39 WDFWB0 COB 9AV BN 9 INF VIETNAM RVN
6904 57 WDFWB0 COB 9AV BN 9 INF VIETNAM RVN
6905 35 WDFWB0 COB 9AV BN 9 INF VIETNAM RVN
6906 156 WDFWB0 COB 9AV BN 9 INF VIETNAM RVN
6907 35 WCLSAA 388 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
6908 0 WCLSAA 388 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
6909 0 WCLSAA 388 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
6910 0 WCLSAA 388 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
6911 37 WC07AA 134th ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
6912 92 WC07AA 134th ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
7001 28 WC07AA 134th ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
7002 73 WC07AA 134th ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
7003 25 WC07AA 134th ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
7004 63 WC07AA 134th ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
7005 38 WC07AA 134th ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
7006 13 WC07AA 134th ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
7007 49 WC07AA 134th ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
7008 51 WC07AA 134th ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
7009 0 WCLNAA 79 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN
7010 0 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVSCOM
7011 0 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVSCOM
7012 0 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVSCOM
7101 0 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVSCOM
7102 0 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVSCOM
7103 0 W2WJAA BEL HEL BAILMENT FT WORTH AVSCOM
7104 0 W2WJAA BEL HEL BAILMENT FT WORTH AVSCOM
7105 0 W2WJAA BEL HEL BAILMENT FT WORTH AVSCOM
7106 0 W2WJAA BEL HEL BAILMENT FT WORTH AVSCOM
7107 0 W2WJAA BEL HEL BAILMENT FT WORTH AVSCOM
7108 0 W2WJAA BEL HEL BAILMENT FT WORTH AVSCOM
7109 0 W2WJAA BEL HEL BAILMENT FT WORTH AVSCOM
7110 11 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7111 42 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7112 38 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7201 7 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7202 46 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7203 7 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7204 24 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7205 39 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7206 11 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7207 0 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7208 8 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7209 25 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7210 15 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7211 0 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7212 0 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7301 0 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7302 0 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7303 0 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7304 7 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7305 21 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7306 22 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7307 0 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7308 7 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7309 0 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7310 10 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7311 7 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7312 15 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7401 6 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7402 4 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7403 2 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7404 15 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7405 29 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7406 10 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7407 7 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7409 4 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7410 5 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7411 4 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7412 8 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7501 12 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7502 1 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7503 15 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7504 12 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7505 6 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7506 1 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7507 21 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7508 10 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7509 10 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7510 4 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7511 21 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI
7512 0 WTCEAA NAT GUARD NAT GDZI

Last Modified: Monday March 31st, 2025