bell uh-1d huey (65-09987)

BELL UH-1D HUEY (REGISTRATION: 65-09987)
On December 19, 1967, a UH-1D from the 162nd Assault Helicopter Company suffered an engine failure at an altitude of 200 foot during takeoff from Phouc Vinh airfield loaded with troops for a practice combat assault. While still within the wire over 75 foot trees, the tail boom struck trees and separated from the aircraft. The main cabin hit the ground in a nose low attitude and turned over, burning on impact. Engine loss was due to fatigue failure of one blade in the turbine wheel. All ten persons aboard the helicopter suffered fatal injuries. They included aircraft commander WO1 John F. Holz, pilot WO1 Larry A. Harke, crew chief SP4 Robert D. Kline, and gunner SP4 Anthony V. Campaniello, plus six passengers: CPL Steven N. Radu, PFC Eugene Miley, SFC Walter O. Brown, SFC Leroy Everett, PFC Jimmy L. Woolfolk, and PFC Charles Carpenter. [Taken from vhpa.org] -