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AH-1 Vietnam Losses }-> 1968-1972

05 MAR 96

CW3 David E. Glamuzina [P]
SPC John T. Nessmith [CE]

Hawaii

1-25 AVN
#68-15036

A/C crashed in a deep ravine 3 mi NW of Wheeler AAF at approx 1710 hrs after engine failed during a routine maintenance flight.

07 SEP 93

MAJ Philip J. Curtin II [IP]
LTC James D. Nelson (USMC)

California

AH-1W
160813 & HMLA-269 #160826

Mid-air collision while conducting a nighttime evaluation of a Marine Cobra squadron at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center at Twenty-nine Palms. Pilot was an Army Liaison to the Marine Air Combat School in Mesa Arizona.

CPT Mark D. Rullman [P] (USMC)
LTC Marcus L. Lenderman (USMC)

19 JUN 92

CW2 Jeffrey L. Miller [P]
WO1 Casey K. Bronson [P]

California

C/1-123 AVN
#67-15811

A/C crashed while conducting Aerial Gunnery practice when the engine failed due to a clogged engine inlet. The engine inlet filter bypass failed. A/C plunged to the ground about 15 degrees nose low on left side and caught fire at approx 1600 hrs 17 mi NW of main post on Ft Irwin.

13 NOV 91

CW2 Robert D. Taylor [P]
1LT Roy C. Zimmermann [P]

Korea

C/5/501 AVN
#68-17065 & #79-23187

Midair collision between two AH-1 Cobra helicopters during an NVG training mission. Collision occurred during an NVG tactical formation training flight at 150' AGL, A/C descended in a nose-low attitude with flames and sparks coming from the xsmn area, rotors barely turning struck the ground tail first on the downslope of a ridge, and was engulfed in a postcrash fire.

2 pilots injured

23 MAR 90

CW2 Richard D. Stroh [P]
P injured

New Mexico

3 ACR
AH-1E
#78-23076

A/C was conducting Gunnery Tables when a Hydra-70 Induced Compressor Stall caused failure of the #2 T/R driveshaft. IP initiated autorotation from 15'. Xmsn housing failed on impact causing M/R to impact front of aircraft. CW2 Stroh died as a result of M/R contact with cockpit.

14 FEB 89

CW3 Howard P. Osterlin [CP]
P injured

Nevada

CO ARNG
AH-1S
#68-15195

A/C was Chalk #3 in flight of four when A/C began to fishtail and appeared to attempt running landing, front tip of left skid contacted the ground and came to rest inverted at approx. 1330 hours near Indian Springs while en route to a Red Flag exercise in the desert at Nellis AFB due to T/R bearing failure.

16 MAY 88

CW2 Richard L. Demello [P]
2LT William H. Mixon Jr [P]

Alabama

USAATTC
#66-15339
A/C was performing high-speed dives and failed to complete a recovery at less than 400' AGL and crashed in a swampy area about 10 mi S of Geneva.

06 DEC 86

CW2 Ronnie D. Buckler [P]

Germany

13 AHB
AH-1F
#70-15971

Killed when he was struck by the T/R blade while conducting an on-the-ground weapons systems check at Grafenwoehr.

12 JUN 86

CPT Patrick M. Keenan* [P]
CW2 Philip R. Kennedy III [P]

Kentucky

A/229 AVN
AH-1F
#68-17091

A/C crashed N of Woodlawn (Training Area 8) after a tree strike during a routine training mission at Ft Campbell at approx 1600 hrs. A/C was on the third circuit of a racetrack pattern simulating firing support for a troop insertion. Crew cut the pattern short in a nose-low left bank at low altitude, then leveled and assumed a nose-high attitude to stop the descent. A/C struck several trees with the M/R and T/R and began to climb to about 100' AGL. T/R drive shaft was severed and A/C descended vertically in a right spin, struck the ground nose and right-side low and came to rest on right side. *Keenan died of injuries while in the emergency room.

09 APR 86

CW2 Donald C. Miller Jr [P]
WO1 David M. Thomas [P]

Georgia

A/24 CAB
AH-1S
#67-15697
Mid-air with CH-47D #85-24325 on Ft Stewart during a training mission. Both acft were flying in opposite directions during low-level NVG flight. M/R blade of the CH-47 struck the forward cabin area and M/R system of the AH-1, causing in-flight breakup of both acft.

23 JAN 86

CW2 Dale L. Morris [P]
PFC Ronald A. Swadley [CE]

Germany

B/503 AVN
AH-1S
#68-17092

A/C crashed and burst into flames NE of Aschaffenburg due to weather while flying manuevers 'Certain Sentinel 86' from Grafenwoehr to Hanau. A/C was lead in flight of two elected to deviate from planned route along a valley and inadvertently entered IMC, pilot began VHIRP when he became disoriented and lost control. A/C hit a hilltop with a 7 deg upslope. On initial impact, M/R blade flexed down, striking the ground on the right front of the A/C and the T/B, before the mast snapped. Fuselage bounced into the air and came to rest about 120' from initial point of impact.

17 JAN 86

CW2 Elmer D. Padgett Jr* [IP]
CP injured

Germany

E/11 ACR
AH-1S
#67-15658

A/C was in a flight of four OH-58s and two AH-1s flying contour level at approx 120' AGL and 80 KIAS enroute to a field site during Reforger 86. The flight, with the four OH-58s in the lead, made a right turn from a heading of 310 deg to 015 deg. The mishap OH-58, in position four, had turned to 015 degrees and was flying straight and level when the Cobra, in position five, overtook the OH-58 on the right side. M/R blades of the OH-58 struck and penetrated the AH-1's left engine cowlings, severing the main fuel and oil lines and the engine mounts. A/C immediately caught fire, continued straight ahead in a rapid descent, hit two trees, struck the ground, rolled over and burned. CP & CIV extracted the pilot who died a few days later of crash injuries.

09 SEP 85

1LT Kevin M. Cardwell [PC]
1LT Michael L. Pape Sr [CP]

Georgia

D/1/124 CAV (TX ARNG)
AH-1G
#67-15737

A/C crashed shortly after takeoff and burned in the Chatahoochee Forest on a training flight at approx 0820 hours with the US Army's Ranger School. CCAD analysis indicated engine failure due to first-stage power turbine failure.

06 AUG 85

CW2 Michael L. Brown [P]
P injured

Egypt

229 AHB
AH-1S
#78-23091

A/C crashed in the Sahara 30 miles W of Cairo during Bright Star military exercise. Pilot was giving a demo flight to an Egyptian pilot, making diving manuevers and pulling out close to ground, misjudged clearance and hit a sand dune left side low, rebounded in air, spun to the right, M/R blades flexed and severed T/B and crashed inverted. Pilot was killed when the back of his head impacted the shoulder harness guide on the back of the seat.

11 MAR 85

CW3 James G. Stewart [IP]
CW3 William E. Metcalf [P]

Germany

B/8 CAB
AH-1S
#68-15045

A/C crashed during a night training mission under NVG just south of Finthen AAF while on GCA. Cause of crash was determined to be Kaman blade separation. Spar separated from honeycomb section of the blade causing the blade to cut off the T/B.

15 FEB 85

1LT Carey L. Beavers [P]
CPT Tim A. Jensen [P]

Alabama

USAAVNDTA
AH-1S
#76-22576
C/S: BEARCAT 26

A/C was on approach to LZ Runkle on the west side of Ft Rucker at approx 1000 hours while on a acft parts development test flight. A/C rolled inverted while on long final, hit two pecan trees then rolled into front of barn/shed. Cause of the crash was swash plate bearing failure due to a combination of bad lubrication and K747 rotor blades that caused greater than expected forces on the pitch links downward to the swash plate.

17 NOV 84

CW2 David R. Ammerman Sr [P]
CPT Larry G. Carter [P]

Texas

D/1/124 CAV
AH-1G
#68-15063

A/C was RTB from Paul Quinn College in Waco where it was used as a static display for the college's homecoming activities. A/C was flying 100' AGL and 100-120 KIAS trying to maintain VFR at night in deteriorating wx conditions, following IH-35 when it hit the top two strands of a transmission line crossing the highway, lost control and crashed 780m from point of wire strike about 5 mi N of Salado at approx 2000 hours.

01 JUN 84

Robert Kirtley [ME]*

Washington

116 ACR (WA ARNG)
AH-1S
#80-23519
A/C was undergoing a maintenance operational check to adjust voltage regulator. RPM was increased to 6000 with the application of some left pedal, as RPM was being beeped up to 6600, A/C began to turn left, rotating three complete revolutions and came to rest about 15' from orginal parking spot. *ME stationed near voltage regulator access panel was struck by T/B twice and died approx 2 hrs later of injuries.

19 AUG 83

MAJ James M. O'Brien [P]
IP injured

Maryland

USNTPS
AH-1S
[Need Tail#]

A/C crashed and burned at approx 1140 hours on the shoreline of the Patuxent River in Calvert County while performing test pilot training. M/R separated due to mast bumping causing blade to enter cockpit killing backseat pilot instantly. IP parachuted to safety.

20 JUN 83

CW2 Todd J. Reichelt [P]
CP injured

Colorado

A/4 AVN
AH-1S
#77-22746

A/C from Ft Carson crashed into a grassy field NE of the Air Force Academy at 1420 hrs. CP noticed engine speed was fluctuating, pilot took over and initiated a power-on landing, A/C landed hard in open area with approx 30 knots forward airspeed. A/C slid forward about 50' and went through a wire fence, flexing M/R blades hit fence, and xmsn torn from its rear mounts, shifted forward causing one M/R blade to hit the forward cockpit killing the pilot.

12 MAY 83

CW3 Robert R. McDonald [IP]
1 injured

Texas

B/7/17 CAV
AH-1S
#67-15834

A/C crashed while IP was giving a check ride on Ft Hood. IP initiated a simulated forced landing when pilot stated that engine quit. IP took controls and made a slight turn to the right to land in an area covered by scrub oak and dense undergrowth. A/C hit the trees in a level attitude with little or no fwd airspeed and came to rest leaning to the left about 60 deg. IP sustained fatal injuries when his torso flexed forward and downward far enough to allow his face to hit the top of the telescopic sight unit.

26 MAY 82

SSG Bobby Greene [C]
P injured

Georgia

24 CAB
AH-1S
[Need Tail#]
A/C was on maintenance test flight and began rolling left to right in angles exceeding 45 deg. Pilot was unable to control rolls but felt he had partial cyclic control and crashed in open, marshy area about 1 mi from Fort McAllister. Pilot misinterpreted the A/C actions as being caused by main xsmn mount failure instead of an in-flight SCAS malfunction.

08 APR 82

CW2 Larry D. Massey [P]
1LT Donald W. Parker [P]

Texas

6 CAV
AH-1S
#71-20988

A/C was in a chalk #2 flight of six when it crashed and exploded near Garden City returning from Gallant Eagle exercise at Ft Irwin. Crash was caused by a failure of the white blade P/C link which broke in flight at 6,000'. A resulting severe one-to-one vibration caused the T/B to separate just forward of the stabilizer. Shortly thereafter, the entire M/R and attached transmission separated from airframe mounts and departed vertically.

08 FEB 82

SGT Jose A. Otero [CE]

Texas

6 CAV
AH-1S
#69-16417

CE walked into T/R blade during maintenance operational check of voltage regulator at Hood AAF at 1125 hrs. Witnesses saw CE rush toward the rear of A/C in what was suspected to be an attempt to complete his tasks as quickly as possible and get back inside out the cold, damp weather.

16 DEC 81

CW3 Duane M. Cochran Jr [IP]
CPT Clinton R. Edison

Korea

4/7 CAV
AH-1S
#69-16417

A/C was on an area orientation flight and were in formation when a M/R pitch change link broke, A/C began to roll to right and then to left at angles of about 30 deg while also yawing (occurring 2-3 times in rapid succession). A/C then rolled right past 90 deg, rotor system unloaded, mast bumping occurred, mast snapped and a blade struck the front cockpit. Camp Stanley airfield named in honor of CW3 Cochran.

21 MAY 81

MAJ Douglas L. Dowd [P]
LT Robert S. Ellis [P] (USN)

Maryland

USNTPS
AH-1S
#68-15085

A/C crashed and exploded at 1000 hours on Route 238 in Captico community during a familiarization flight after a M/R blade failed and sliced through the cockpit which was attributed to "mast bumping".

27 OCT 80

CPT Sean A. Murray [P]
1LT Thomas L. Axtell [P]

Georgia

2/9 CAV
AH-1S
#78-23125

A/C crashed and burned in the woods near Hunter AAF at 2100 hours while returning from a routine training flight from Ft Stewart. Initial cause was engine failure, however pilot applied pitch too early during autorotation causing M/R RPM to bleed off at a height of 150' AGL, causing A/C to descend vertically into the ground.

14 AUG 80

PFC Fernando A. Trujillo [C]

Colorado

D/1/10 CAV
AH-1G
#70-15970
A/C completed mission and returned to parking area for shutdown. Armament team began servicing A/C during shutdown when team member ran into the T/R while performing his duties.

02 NOV 79

WO1 Michael R. Steele [P]
CW2 James H. Crump [P]

Korea

C/4/7 CAV
AH-1G
#67-15773

A/C from Camp Stanton cruised into ground near Tongduchon, 9 miles N of Seoul at 120 KTS during VMC after DMZ/TAC zone flight for new in-country pilot (Flight Surgeon) orientation. A/C hit the ground at greater than 30 G's. Suspect hydraulic failure and control lock-up???

07 JUN 79

WO1 Allen M. Gardner* [CP]
IP injured

Alabama

USAAVNS
TH-1G
#67-15623
A/C yawed as SP called "caution light". A/C hit several large trees and came to rest on left side on the Mattheson aerial gunnery range at approx 1130 hrs during Cobra transition training at Ft Rucker. CP died 18JUN79 of injuries sustained in accident.

08 MAY 78

1LT Geary O. Bauman [P]
CW3 Gary L. Woodrum [MP]

Korea

4-7 CAV
AH-1G
66-15346

A/C was on a maintenance test flight at East Pass 3 mi E of Camp Stanton AAF (R224) when M/R separated from mast, fuselage spiraled to the right, nose low and exploded on impact. T/R and 90 deg gearbox were found 312' from main wreckage and M/R assy was found about 1800' from main wreckage. Teardown analysis of components revealed no conclusive evidence of defect or malfunction which would have caused to any type of failure with resultant mast bumping.

02 DEC 74

CPT James F. Smith [OB]
P injured

Oklahoma

C-333 FA
AH-1G
#68-17103

A/C crashed after hitting telephone lines approx. 4 miles SE of Konawa near the North Canadian River while on a cross-country training flight.

07 AUG 74

CW2 John W. Cohorn Jr [P]
CW2 Ronald L. Tusi [P]

California

155 AHC
AH-1G
#70-16037

A/C crashed due to wire strike during a "Night Owl" exercise on the Hunter-Liggett Military Reservation near King City and were flying with the first generation prototype NVGs.

20 FEB 74

CW2 Charles W. Clemens III [P]

Georgia

A TRP 1/17 CAV
AH-1G
#67-15692
A/C crashed on the night gunnery range at Ft Stewart.

26 NOV 73

CW2 Michael S. Knight [P]
WO1 Kenneth J. Knag [P]

Oklahoma

C-333 FA
AH-1G
#70-15955

A/C was trail in flight of three when it crashed near Marlow on the Grady-Stephens county line while on a cross-country training flight. Crash was due to M/R blade spar failure.

26 OCT 73

CW2 Michael D. Lovejoy [P]
CW2 Cleo R. Oney [P]

New Mexico

1 CAV
AH-1G
#67-15483

A/C based from Ft Hood crashed shortly after dusk just across the Texas border east of Vado, NM during exercise Brave Shield VI due to wire strike. A/C struck two 5/8" powerlines at 35' AGL and 130 KIAS. T/R assy and vertical fin separated and A/C disintegrated after impact.

27 SEP 73

CW2 Billy T. Hackler [P]
1LT Richard W. Lally [P]

Colorado

D/1/10 CAV
AH-1G
#67-15855

A/C crashed and burst into flames while on a training mission from Ft Carson, 8 mi SE of the Arapahoe County Airport. A/C was flying at approx 300' AGL and was observed to be making a steep turn, pulled up sharply, stalled and crashed.

04 APR 73

CW2 James M. Baker [P]
1 injured

North Carolina

C/1/17 CAV
AH-1G
#67-15856

A/C crashed into trees near Catfish Lake after tail rotor failure at Ft Bragg.

28 MAR 73

CPT Patrick L. Henry [P]
CW2 Thomas D. Tennimon Jr [P]

Kentucky

4/77 AFA
AH-1G
#71-21032

A/C impacted in the range area of Ft Campbell at approx 0800 hrs during gunnery practice which was attributed to target fixation, with the pilot bearing down on the target and "placing the aircraft in an attitude, altitude, and airspeed from which recovery to controlled flight was not possible prior to ground impact.

15 JUL 72

CW2 Edmund L. Heynoski [IP]
CW2 James A. McMullin Jr [CP]

Georgia

USAAVNS (Hunter AAF)
TH-1G
#66-15288

A/C crashed on helicopter gunnery range at Ft Stewart during a training mission.

19 MAY 71

CWO James A. Hilbun Jr [P]
CPT Aaron Prodell (USAF)

Germany

A/2 ACR
AH-1
[Need Tail#]

A/C crashed near Amberg.

15 JAN 70

1LT Benny C. Parker [IP]
1LT Michael F. Monroe

Georgia

USAAVNS (Hunter AAF)
AH-1G
[Need Tail#]

A/C crashed 4 mi SW of Hunter AAF while on a training mission due to T/R failure. Rotated clockwise at 200' and hit trees.

11 SEP 69

CW2 Edward Shanahan [IP]
1 injured

Georgia

[Need A/C Unit]
AH-1
[Need Tail#]
A/C crashed into trees during low level auto. approx. 10 min from Hunter AAF.

01 MAR 68

John H. Hilburn [P]
Arthur L. Jennings

Texas

BELL
AH-1G
[Need Tail#]

A/C crashed on the armament firing range at Ft Hood during a routine test flight.

15 JAN 68

CW2 Kenneth C. Weaver [IP]
CPT Arthur A. Krull [P]

Georgia

207 AVN
AH-1
[Need Tail#]

A/C crashed and burned in a field during routine training mission approx 1 mi from Hunter AAF. Cause of crash was determined to be the design of a small door that fell off during takeoff hit the T/R.

05 SEP 67

MAJ Theodore D. Strennen [P]
CPT Charles H. Evans [IP]

Georgia

[Need A/C Unit]
AH-1
[Need Tail#]

A/C crashed in marsh lands surrounding the Ogeechee River near Savannah during flight test of new Cobra.