Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00636
The Army purchased this helicopter 1066 Total flight hours at this
point: 00000476 Date: 12/08/1967
Unit: 235th AVN
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER for Close Air Support While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0500 feet and 095 knots. South Vietnam Helicopter took 5 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 Cockpit Systems damaged were: STRUCTURE The helicopter Continued Flight. The aircraft continued and accomplished all mission objectives. for 5.00
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: LNOF, 74376, FM232 (Lindenmuth Old Format Data Base. )
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00636 The Army purchased this helicopter 1066 Total flight hours at this point:
00000656 Date: 06/05/1968 Unit: 114th AHC This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED for Close Air Support While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0075 feet and 100 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)
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL Casualties = 01 WIA . .
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, 15702 ()
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00636. The Army purchased this helicopter 1066. Total flight hours at this point:
00000707 Date: 07/21/1968 Unit: 114 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER. This was a Rescue and Recovery mission for Rescue or Rescue Support. While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0400 feet and 080 knots. South Vietnam Helicopter took 3 hits from: Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM) Systems damaged were: TAIL ROTOR 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, 20304 ()
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00636 The Army
purchased this helicopter 1066 Total flight hours at this point:
00000864 Date: 09/12/1968 Unit: 114 AHC This was a Combat incident.
This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER This was an Unknown mission While
in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0100 feet and 080
knots. South Vietnam 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 Main Rotor Blade
System 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, 25606 ()
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00636 The Army
purchased this helicopter 1066 Total flight hours at this point:
00000903 Date: 10/06/1968 Unit: 114 AHC This was a Combat incident.
This helicopter was REPAIRED This was a Rescue and Recovery mission for
Rescue of Persons While on Landing Zone this helicopter was on Take-Off at
0015 feet and 040 knots. South Vietnam 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
Left Side Systems damaged were: ARMAMENT 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, 28001 ()
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00636 The Army
purchased this helicopter 1066 Total flight hours at this point:
00000903 Date: 10/18/1968 Accident case number: 681018201 Unit: 114
AHC Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers =
0 costing 44563 Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated:
Army Aviation Safety Center database.
Crew Members: AC O3 SAWYER TE P W2 MELIS RK
Accident Summary:
The aircraft departed Vinh Long Airfield at 2140 hrs. 18 Oct 68 on a routine armament test flight. After a normal runup, the aircraft departed to the west climbing at 500 feet and 60 knots with 38 lbs of torque and 91% indicated on percent gauge. At 800 feet a loud bang was heard from the engine compartment. A check of the gauges revealed N1 percent, EGT and rotor RPM dropping. Aircraft was entered into autorotation. The airspeed built to 80 knots, rotor RPM built to 320 and 100 feet deceleration was started and at 10 feet pitch was pulled and the aircraft landed with a ground roll of 2 to 3 feet. The landing area was a rice paddy with no water but was soft and the aircraft settled six to eight inches. On coast down of the rotor system, around 90 RPM the pilot heard a loud bump from the rear and the aircraft started mast bumping. Dismounting from the
aircraft, the pilot discovered the main rotor had struck the tail boom 12 inches in front of the 42 degree gear box severing the drive shaft and heavy damage to the tail boom. The engine was removed and is waiting analysis. The droop stop on the main rotor blade that hit the tail boom was found to be inoperative This record was last updated on 04/14/1999
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00636
The Army purchased this helicopter 1066 Total flight hours at this point: 00001107
Date: 03/22/1969
Unit: 336th AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER for Close Air Support While On Target this helicopter was Attacking at 0100 feet and 080 knots. South Vietnam, Helicopter took 1 hits from: Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive charges. The helicopter was hit in the Main Rotor Blade System causing Fragmentation Damage. 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, 08102 ()
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00636 The Army purchased this helicopter 1066 Total flight hours at this point:
00001195 Date: 04/17/1969 Unit: 336 AHC This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER This was a Recon mission for Armed
Escort , Other Aircraft. While in Target Area this helicopter was Attacking at 0500 feet and 060 knots. South Vietnam Helicopter took 5 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: TAIL ROTOR 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, 10703 ()
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00636
The Army purchased this helicopter 1066 Total flight hours at this point: 00001333
Date: 07/01/1969
Unit: 520 TC BN
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK for Close Air Support While On Target this helicopter was Attacking at UNK feet and UNK knots. South Vietnam Helicopter took 2 hits from: Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive charges. The helicopter was hit in the Left Side causing Fragmentation Damage. Systems damaged were: ARMAMENT, PERSONNEL Casualties = 01 WIA . . 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, 18201 ()
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00636
The Army purchased this helicopter 1066 Total flight hours at this point: 00001858
Date: 10/07/1971
Incident number: 711007101ACD Accident case number: 711007101 Total loss or fatality Accident Unit: 134th AHC The station for this helicopter was Tuy Hoa in South Vietnam UTM grid coordinates: CQ211358 Number killed in accident = 3 . . Injured = 0 . .
Passengers = 2
costing 448658
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 Cpt McGlone, Gerald Field KIA
OB SP5 Page, Addison William JR KIA
TO SP4 Perez-Verdeja, Rafael KIA
Accident Summary:
At approximately 1530 hours on 7 oct 71, Cpt Mcglone and SP/5 Page began preparations to take a UH-1M helicopter, sn: 66-00636 on a local test flight. the stated purpose of the flight was to re-check a previous pilot's opinion that a high frequency vibration had been eliminated. Cpt Mcglone's preflight activities did not include the filing of a flight plan. the pre-flight and run-up of the aircraft proceded normally until just prior to take-off when SP/4 Perez approached the aircraft and climbed aboard, apparently just for the ride. All this took place at 1610 hours, at
which time 636 was cleared for take-off from tuy hoa army airfield. cpt mcglone proceded south toward Phu Hiep, rvn, an abandoned airfield used exclusively for local test flights. He made at least two trips around the airfield, encountered an undetermined in-flight emergency, and attempted to land. This resulted in a crash and fire. Smoke from this fire was observed by the thaaf tower operator and he directed an aircraft in the traffic pattern to the phu hiep area. Upon arrival there, this aircraft located the burning wreckage of 636 and the bodies of Mcglone, Page, and Perez. Soon there after a crowd began to gather around the crash site. The time was now 1645.
This record was last updated on 05/25/1998
The following is crew member information for this incident:
Name: CPT Gerald Field McGlone
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 10/07/1971 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 23.9
Date of Birth: 11/01/1947 Home City: Urbana, IL Service: AR branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 1st AVN BDE Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade Flight class: 70-24
Service: AR branch of the U.S. Army. The Wall location: 02W-035 Short Summary: Test flight? Aircraft: UH-1M tail number 66-00636
SSN:
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 1981 = 19 Rotary Wing Aviator (Unit Commander) Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: vehicular accident Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: pilot Vehicle ownership: government Started Tour: 01/11/1971 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot The initial status of this person was: no previous report Length of service: *
Location: Phu Yen Province II Corps. Military grid coordinates of event: CQ200420
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes 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 08/20/1995
Name: SP5 Addison William Page, Jr.
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 10/07/1971 while performing the duty of Aerial Observer. Age at death: 21.2
Date of Birth: 07/13/1950
Home City: Worcester, MA
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 1st AVN BDE
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 02W-035
Aircraft: UH-1M tail number 66-00636
SSN:
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67N20 = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: vehicular accident
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: observer
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 02/02/1971
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew The initial status of this person was: no previous report
Length of service: *
Location: Phu Yen Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: CQ200420
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 08/20/1995
Name: SP4 Rafael Perez-Verdeja
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 10/07/1971 while performing the duty of Technical Observer.
Age at death: 20.8
Date of Birth: 12/27/1950
Home City: Miami, FL
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: 1st AVN BDE
Major organization: 1st Aviation Brigade
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 02W-035
Aircraft: UH-1M tail number 66-00636
SSN:
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 68B20 = Aircraft Powerplant Repairer
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: vehicular accident
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: observer
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 10/12/1970
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew The initial status of this person was: no previous report
Length of service: *
Location: Phu Yen Province II Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: CQ200420
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes
Single male U.S. citizen
Race: Hispanic
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 08/20/1995
War Story:
I was assigned to the 134th after Lam Son 719. I was with the 238thAWC and the unit stood down after being sent to II Corps.
I got to know Jerry fairly well. This is what I do know of what happened. He was doing a test flight after an engine change. (I think it was to convert a C model to an M) . Perez was one of the best engine 67N20's in II Corps, (he was also a short timer, but had helped with the engine change and wanted this to be his last write off). Jerry was doing a topping check when he lost an engine. He called a may day on guard and that was the last anyone heard. They did not tell us the official cause of the accident, but this is known; he impacted the ground at about an 80deg angle, in excess of 130k. They suspected the engine loss resulted in either the mast freezing or somehow the short shaft froze/failed. There was a memorial service in the base chapel for the crew. At that time Jerry was a Lt. He had a pending Article 15 because of a flight line party. (If you like I can tell you the story, believe me it's hillarious!) He was promoted to Capt. while he was in the coffin. (What do you expect, after all it was NAM). That is the best I can remember, but I do remember, Jerry was a good guy. From Phil Hollar CW3 Demon 21 134th AHC '71, 2derful2@gmail.com, January 2001.
Charles T. Murray, SP5 at the time, adds the following: SP4 Perez was planning to take this flight and asked me to go along in advance of the scheduled flight. I declined. The accident report implies it was a last minute decision by Perez, but it was planned in advance by him. From: Charles T. Murray July 2022.
This record was last updated on 07/02/2022
The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 66-00636. 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 1066.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.
