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Helicopter UH-1C 66-15151

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Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15151
The Army purchased this helicopter 0667
Total flight hours at this point: 00001264
Date: 09/14/1969
Accident case number: 690914081
Unit: 134^th AHC
The station for this helicopter was Phu Hiep in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 2610
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 Dzilkowski M

Accident Summary:

ACFT LOST PWR IN FLT & AUTO TO RICE PADDY ICDT DMG ON LDG \

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15151
The Army purchased this helicopter 0667
Total flight hours at this point: 00001449
Date: 01/11/1970
Incident number: 700111081ACD Accident case number: 700111081 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 134^th AHC
The station for this helicopter was Phu Hiep in South Vietnam
Number killed in accident = 1 . . Injured = 3 . . Passengers = 0
costing 269415
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. )
Additional account by SP/4 Tipple.  Crash of 66-15151

Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
AC O3 PORTER BE
P W1 INGLE LM
CE SP4 HAMRICK EDWARD JOSEPH KIA
G E4 TIPPLE RD

Accident Summary:

On 11 January 1970, Helicopter UH-1C, SN 66-15151, was on stand-by at LZ Enlish working in conjuction with the
61^st operations, in support of the 173^rd Airborne Brigade. At approximately 1415 hours the aircraft was scrambled
to cover a dust-off-pick-up in the vicinity of BR6471. The aircraft proceeded to the pick-up site, making contact with
Dust-Off 17 to coordinate the mission. Dust-Off 17 advised the weather in the pick up area was marginal but he would
try to get into the area. Upon making an attempt into the area, he advised Devil 6, Captain Poter, and his wingman to
do a 180 deg turn out of the area. Dust-Off 17 advised Devil 6 to evaluate the capabilities of his aircraft and that
the mission was not as urgent as it had seemed and that the weather was getting worse in the pick-up area. After
considering the situation, Devil 6 and Dust-Off 17 decided to try again. This time Devil 6 was to try to go over
the ridge line first. At this time the trail gunship suggested a possible alternate route into the area. Devil 6 decided
to go ahead and try the ridge line again. Devil 6 made his approach at a high airspeed, trying to make it over the ridge
line before the weather closed in. Devil 6 went IFR upon reaching the ridge line, at approimately 1445 hours. He attempted
to climb out of the weather and contact Phu Cat Air Force Base, located 33 kilmoeters to the southeast of the pick-up area
for a GCA. At approximately 1448 hours, the trail gunship tried to contact Captain Porter on FM, VHF and UHF radios with
negative results. He then called the support unit at LZ Enlish and advised them of Devil 6's situation. It was assumed
that Captain Porter and his crew had crashed. At approximately 1600 hours, a search and rescue was initiated for the crew
and aircraft which lasted for two days until the afternoon of the 14^th. Three members of the crew were found at BR678708
and the aircraft wreckage was found at BR657695.\\
This record was last updated on 05/25/1998

The following is crew member information for this incident:

Name: SP4 Edward Joseph Hamrick
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/11/1970 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 21.2
Date of Birth: 11/08/1948
Home City: Shinnston, WV
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 134^th AHC
Major organization: 1^st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 14W-026
Aircraft: UH-1C tail number 66-15151
SSN: 233768704
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67N2F = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 03/15/1969
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Binh Dinh Province II Corps.
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 07/28/1994

The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-15151
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 0667.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.