Owner: Doc Smith; Mesa, Arizona

KNOWN CHRONOLOGY --

11/20/69 -- RECEIVED PALOMAR; PALOMAR, CALIFORNIA
12/3/69 -- AVAILABLE FOR FLIGHT TEST; PALOMAR, CALIFORNIA
12/12/69 -- COMPANY TEST FINAL; PALOMAR, CALIFORNIA
12/19/69 -- ARMY ACCEPTANCE; PALOMAR, CALIFORNIA
12/31/69 -- LICENSED BY FAA; PALOMAR, CALIFORNIA
12/69 -- WOY6AA OS TO CONUS ITR CONUS, AQVCOMITR
1/70 - 2/70 -- WOMHAA DIR SUP/TRAN IN TRANSIT, SHARPE AD AVCOM
3/70 - 6/70 -- WG20AA F TROOP 8TH CAVALRY ARMORED DIVISION, VIETNAM
7/70 - 10/70 -- 142 TC DS, VIETNAM
7/25/70 -- CRASHED IN CHU LAI, VIETNAM
11/70 - 12/70 -- 3RD BRIGADE 101 AIRBORNE, VIETNAM
12/9/70 -- CRASHED IN CAMP EVANS PROVINCE, VIETNAM
1/71 - 5/71 -- 3 BRIGADE AM HHC, VIETNAM
1/9/71 -- CRASHED IN CAMP EAGLE PROVINCE, VIETNAM
6/71 - 7/71 -- 142 TC DS, VIETNAM
7/71 - 10/71 -- 3 BRIGADE AM HHC, VIETNAM
8/16/71 -- CRASHED IN CAMP EVANS PROVINCE, VIETNAM
11/71 - 12/71 -- 2 17 AIR CALVARY A TROOP, VIETNAM
12/71 - 1/72 -- 163RD CS CO, VIETNAM
1/72 - 4/72 -- 16 CALVARY H TROOP, VIETNAM
5/72 - 6/72 -- 388 TC CO, VIETNAM
5/15/72 -- CRASHED IN BIEN HOA PROVINCE, VIETNAM
5/25/72 -- CRASHED IN BIEN HOA PROVINCE, VIETNAM
6/72 - 7/72 -- 16 CALVARY H TROOP, VIETNAM
8/72 - 1/73 -- C TROOP 16TH AIR CALVARY, VIETNAM
2/73 - 3/73 -- AVSCOM PROJECT LOAN, ST. LOUIS
4/73 - 5/73 -- NASA LOAN, LANGLEY RSH CENTER
5/73 - 1/74 -- DIR DIST TRANS IN MAINT., SHARPE AD
2/74 - 12/75 -- USAPDT 1ST ARMY (SILVER EAGLES), FT. RUCKER
(LAST LOGGED HOURS AT 2,376)

1988 -- While serving with the 42nd Aviation Battalion, Air National Guard, Albany, New York, it was stolen and crashed at Lakehurst, New Jersey.

1988 to 10/15/89 -- Aircraft in storage (AVCRAD).

10/15/89 -- Received by the Valley Aircraft Restoration Society from AVCRAD, Gulfport, Miss.

10/15/89 to 9/1/93 -- Aircraft completely rebuilt and refurbished by the Valley Aircraft Restoration Society; Mesa, Arizona.

12/15/00 -- Aircraft transferred to Doc Smith; Mesa, Arizona.

HISTORY OF THIS AIRFRAME --

Aircraft "Charlie Chopper," a Series III OH-6A "hardbelly," was delivered to a combat unit in Vietnam in early 1970 and saw extensive action based on numerous patched bullet holes and a very battered airframe. The helicopter was then shipped to Stockton, Calif., where it was painted in a Silver Eagles green and white configuration and assigned as No. 5 on the demonstration team.

During its tour with the Silver Eagles, it was repainted in a blue, silver, and white configuration. This was confirmed in 1989 after removing 5 coats of various Army paint schemes. After its tour with the Silver Eagles, it was assigned to various squadrons (at least 5) until it wound up at the 42nd Aviation Battalion in Albany, New York.

Shortly thereafter, the aircraft was stolen by an enlisted Army person and severely wrecked. Severe damage resulted to the structural airframe, including the keel, seat pans, ribs, and landing gear. The final resting place for the wreckage was Gulfport, Miss., where it was unceremoniously dumped.

This airframe saw duty with special operations units (Army, CIA or FBI) due to the unusual wiring harness and radio configurations and the fact that logbooks, maintenance logs, etc., were not provided with the airframe. During the restoration effort, approximately 70% of the original airframe was repaired or replaced.

KNOWN CREW MEMBERS --

Pilot WO4 James Klunder,
Jack D. Nutter,
Pilot WO1 Terry P. Fletcher,
SP/4 Lawrence Whalawhitsa,
Pilot O3 J. Toledo,
SP/4 Albert L. Baker
Instructor Pilot W2 A.N. Bottomley,
Lt. Drew F. Scheele,
Instructor Pilot W1 D. C. Bruce,
CWO4 Michael Hawk,
Observer E4 J. Cookson,
Pilot W1 C. J. Seaman,
Gunner E2 E. J. Lira,
Crew Chief Bob Wright

ROLE/MISSION --

The OH-6A aircraft was designed primarily as a light observation helicopter (LOH, hence the nickname LOacH) to locate enemy positions by dropping smoke grenades and provide logistical assistance to other aircraft for strafing/bombing missions. This was an extremely dangerous mission that required the Cayuse to expose itself to small arms fire from the enemy. In fact, it was common for the Cobra and Huey gun ships to locate the enemy by sighting the wreckage of the Cayuse.

Pilots overwhelmingly preferred the OH-6A due to its crash survivability. Of the 2,000 OH-6As built between 1967 and 1972, approximately 100 are still flying with law enforcement agencies and other special operations units.

SPECIFICATIONS --

Powerplant -- Allison 250-C18 turbine
Rated Horsepower -- 317
Maximum Gross Weight -- 2,550 pounds
Empty Weight -- 1,211 pounds
Useful Load -- 1,339 pounds
Maximum Permitted Speed (Vne) -- 150 miles per hour
Maximum Cruise Speed -- 144 miles per hour
Hover Ceiling Out of Ground Effect, Std. Day -- 5,300 feet
Hover Ceiling In Ground Effect, Std. Day -- 8,200 feet
Service Ceiling -- 14,400 feet
Rate of Climb, Standard Day -- 1,700 feet per minute
Range; 2 minute warm-up, no reserve -- 353 miles
Endurance: 2 minute warm-up, no reserve -- 3.6 hours
Crew capacity -- 5, including pilot
Length -- 30 feet 4 inches
Width, with blades -- 26 feet 4 inches
Width, without blades -- 6 feet 9 inches
Height (fully squatted) -- 8 feet 6 inches
Ground clearance (fully squatted) -- 9 inches

HELICOPTER 68-17357 --

Information and Accident Case History on U.S. Army helicopter tail number 68-17357:

The Army purchased this helicopter: 1269
Total flight hours at this point: 0000369
Date: 700725
Accident case number: 700725041, Cost: $25,808
Unit: 142 TC DS, Chu Lai Province
Number killed in accident: 0, Injured: 0, Passengers: 0

Crew Members: Pilot: O3 J. Toledo, Instuctor Pilot: W2 AN Bottomley

Accident Summary:

The IP and student were conducting autorotation training at Chu Lai east runway. Upon arriving, the IP was cleared for a straight-in autorotation on the first 2000 feet of runway 14. This was performed successfully. IP was then cleared to practice a low level autorotation on the last 2000 feet of runway 14. This maneuver was normal until touchdown.

Upon touchdown, the IP and student heard a loud pop and grinding noise. At this time the aircraft started to list to the right. This was corrected by the IP applying full left cyclic to keep the aircraft upright and aligned with the runway. Aircraft then continued to skid upright for approximately 150 feet then listed to the right side skidding on the bottom right side of the craft for another 75 feet.

When the aircraft came to a stop, it was setting on the runway at a 25 degree angle to the right. Main rotor blades did not contact the ground at any time. Instructor Pilot and student conducted an emergency shutdown and exited the aircraft. The right skid tube was on the runway some distance behind the aircraft.

Aircrew's unit was notified as well as battalion safety officer. A photographer was dispatched to the accident scene and took photographs of the aircraft where it came to rest without the right skid tube. After initial investigation by the battalion safety officer, the aircraft officer, the aircraft was evacuated to F Trp, 8th CAV maintenance area for temporary storage while further investigation was to be conducted.

Total flight hours at this point: 0000420
Date: 701209
Accident case number: 701209081, Cost: $1340
Unit: 3rd Bde 101 ABN Camp Evans Province
Number killed in accident: 0, Injured: 0, Passengers: 0

Crew Members: Instuctor Pilot: W1 D. C. Bruce

Accident Summary:

Student performing autorotation which resulted in excessive ground run. Left skid hit soft spot on runway, causing main rotor blade to strike tail boom.

Total flight hours at this point: 0000497
Date: 710109
Accident case number: 710109011, Cost: $1234
Unit: 3 BDE AM HHC Camp Eagle Province
Number killed in accident: 0, Injured: 0, Passengers: 0
Crew Members: Instuctor Pilot: W1 D. C. Bruce

Accident Summary:

Student performing autorotation which resulted in excessive ground run. Left skid hit soft spot on runway, causing main rotor blade to strike tail boom.

Total flight hours at this point: 0000951
Date: 710816
Accident case number: 710816101, Cost: $25,070
Unit: 3 BDE AM HHC Camp Evans Province
Number killed in accident: 0, Injured: 0, Passengers: 0
Crew Members: Pilot: W1 C. J. Seaman, Gunner: E. J. Lira

Accident Summary:

The pilot departed Camp Evans on a flight that was to rendezvous with two AH-1G Cobras and continue on a visual reconnaissance mission. Upon reaching the rendezvous point, the pilot reported to his S-3 Air that the weather was marginal and would not allow completion of the mission. He was told to remain on station. After 15-20 minutes he was told to return to base.

Upon return to Camp Evans, while on final approach to the refueling point, the pilot encountered heavy rains and turbulent winds, causing him to make a go-around. He elected to depart traffic to the west where it was clear and hold until the rain shower passed out of the area.

While flying at approximately 200' and 80 knots in a downwind condition, an audible noise alerted the pilot to decaying RPM. He turned into the wind and attempted to salvage his RPM. He then made a forced landing to an area covered with elephant grass.

Upon touching down, the main rotor blades flexed downward and severed the tail boom causing major damage to the tail rotor system, tailboom and main rotor system. No injuries resulted. Because the aircraft was in an unsecure area, it was sling loaded back to A Co. 5th Trans BN, immediately.

Total flight hours at this point: 0001405
Date: 720515
Accident case number: 720515011, Cost: $1,300
Unit: 388 TC CO Bien Hoa Province
Number killed in accident: 0, Injured: 1, Passengers: 0
Crew Members: Pilot: W1 T. P. Fletcher, Observer: E4 J. Cookson

Accident Summary:

While at 60 kts and 50 ft in a right hand turn, a branch struck left side of helicopter cracking chinbubble.

Total flight hours at this point: 0001405
Date: 720525
Accident case number: 720525111, Cost: $977
Unit: 388 TC CO Bien Hoa Province
Number killed in accident: 0, Injured: 0, Passengers: 2
Crew Members: Pilot: W1 T. P. Fletcher, Passengers: Unk, Unk, CET, Unk, Unk, LCO, Gunner

Accident Summary:

Maneuvering to extract wounded Ranger, aircraft swerved. Three Rangers stepped on skid before acft touched ground.

OH-6A/7357 Duty Chronology, Doc Smith

Revised 07-01-2001 by DGSH

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