Helicopter UH-1D 66-16629

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16629
The Army purchased this helicopter 0767
Total flight hours at this point: 00000088
Date: 01/01/68
Incident number: 680101031ACD Accident case number: 680101031 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 61 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Qui Nhon in South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: BR569432
Number killed in accident = 10 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 6
costing 768954
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 KRETZCHMAR PETER KIA
AC WO1 MARTIN RONALD LYNN KIA
CE SP4 GENAU CLARENCE HAROLD JR KIA
G PFC TINGLEY PHILIP ALLISON JR KIA

Passengers:
CPT KLEINBERG PETER SHELL, AR, PX, KIA; CPT VELAZQUEZ FRANK, AR, PX, KIA; SFC SISARIO FELIX ANTHONY, AR, PX, KIA; SP4 FRENCH DAVID LEE, AR, PX, KIA; SGT ANDERSON NORMAN RALPH, AR, PX, KIA; SP4 GRIFFIN THOMAS B JR, AR, PX, KIA;

Accident Summary:

Aircraft crashed into trees in marginal weather in the An Khe Pass

This record was last updated on 09/20/98

The following is crew member information for this incident:

Name: SGT Norman Ralph Anderson
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/01/68 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 26.0
Date of Birth: 01/15/42
Home City: Delaware, OH
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: MACV Advisors
Major organization: MACV advisors
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 33E-011
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16629
Service number: 18596152
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B4H = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 07/29/67
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 06
Location: Binh Dinh Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Lutheran (Missouri Synod)
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 03/05/94

Name: SP4 David Lee French
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/01/68 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 20.5
Date of Birth: 07/06/47
Home City: Canton, OH
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: MACV Advisors
Major organization: MACV advisors
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 33E-012
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16629
Service number: 51826121
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 91B20 = Medical NCO
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 03/11/67
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Binh Dinh Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
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 03/05/94

Name: SP4 Clarence Harold Genau, Jr.
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/01/68 while performing the duty of Crew Chief.
Age at death: 20.6
Date of Birth: 06/03/47
Home City: New York, NY
Service: component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 61 AHC
Major organization: other
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 33E-013
Short Summary: Hit the side of An Khe pass in bad weather.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16629
Service number: 52748520
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67F20 = Airplane Technical Inspector
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 11/01/67
"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 while missing
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 07/28/94

Name: SP4 Thomas B. Griffin, Jr.
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/01/68 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 20.2
Date of Birth: 10/24/47
Home City: Dorchester, MA
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Major organization: other
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 33E-013
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16629
Service number: 11618803
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 71F20 = Postal Clerk
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 06/22/67
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Location: Binh Dinh Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
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 03/05/94

Name: CPT Peter Shell Kleinberg
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/01/68 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 29.7
Date of Birth: 04/28/38
Home City: Waban, MA
Service: IN branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: MACV Advisors
Major organization: MACV advisors
Service: IN branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 33E-013
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16629
Service number: O5314207
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 82L22
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 11/07/67
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 10
Location: Binh Dinh Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Jewish
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 03/05/94

Name: WO1 Peter Kretzchmar
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/01/68 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 31.3
Date of Birth: 09/15/36
Home City: Philadelphia, PA
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 61 AHC
Major organization: other
Flight class: 67-5/67-3
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 33E-014
Short Summary: With WO1 Martin hit the side in An Khe Pass in bad WX. Native of East Germany immigrated in late 1950s, got drafted Feb 1960, 2nd tour
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16629
Service number: W3155922
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor
Primary cause: A/C Accident WX
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Started Tour: 11/01/67
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 06
Location: Binh Dinh Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
married 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: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 07/24/94

Name: WO1 Ronald Lynn Martin
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/01/68 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 23.9
Date of Birth: 02/08/44
Home City: Corsicana, TX
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 61 AHC
Major organization: other
Flight class: 67-5
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 33E-014
Short Summary: Hit the side of An Khe pass in bad WX with WO1 Kretzchmar.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16629
Service number: W3155945
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor
Primary cause: A/C Accident WX
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: co-pilot
Started Tour: 11/02/67
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Location: Binh Dinh Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Methodist (Evangelical United Brethren)
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: SFC Felix Anthony Sisario
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/01/68 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 37.3
Date of Birth: 10/01/30
Home City: Amsterdam, NY
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: MACV Advisors
Major organization: MACV advisors
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 33E-014
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16629
Service number: 21901911
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 92B4H = Medical Laboratory Specialist
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 08/01/66
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 20
Location: Binh Dinh Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
married 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 03/05/94

Name: PFC Philip Allison Tingley, Jr.
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/01/68 while performing the duty of Gunner.
Age at death: 20.8
Date of Birth: 04/01/47
Home City: Arverne, NY
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 61 AHC
Major organization: other
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 33E-015
Short Summary: Hit the side of An Khe pass in bad weather.
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16629
Service number: 11815789
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 11B20 = Infantryman
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: weapons
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: door gunner
Started Tour: 11/01/67
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Location: Binh Dinh Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
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: CPT Frank Velazquez
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/01/68 while performing the duty of Passenger.
Age at death: 39.2
Date of Birth: 10/20/28
Home City: St Joseph, MO
Service: IN branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: MACV Advisors
Major organization: MACV advisors
Service: IN branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 33E-015
Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16629
Service number: O1922995
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 4653
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: passenger
Started Tour: 09/25/67
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew
Length of service: 20
Location: Binh Dinh Province II Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
married 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: officer
This record was last updated on 03/05/94

The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 66-16629
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 0767.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6707  18   18 1776   USARV FLT DET    VIETNAM                     RVN
6708  34   52 1776   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM
6709   2   54 1776   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM
6710   0   54 1776   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM
6711   0   54 3300   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY
6712  34   88 WAYPAA 61 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