©2008 Stephen A. Judycki.
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The Springfield
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GEORGE FRANCIS LAPAN Personal
Data: Birth
Date:
July
23, 1934 Birth
Place: Race:
Caucasian Religion:
Roman
Catholic U.S.
Citizen: Yes Father’s
Name: Mother’s
Name: Sibling
Names: Marital
Status:
Married Wife’s
Name: Offspring
Names: Education: Schools
Attended: High
School Diploma: Selective
Service Data: SSS
Local Board Number: SSS
Local Board Location: SSS
Registration Date: SSS
Registrant Description: Military
Service Record: Entry
Date: Entry
Mode: Entry
Location: Home
of Record:
Easthampton,
Massachusetts Service
Branch:
Army
Service
Component:
Reserve
Rank:
Chief
Warrant Officer Rank
Abbrev:
CWO
Pay
Grade:
W2
MOS:
062B
MOS
Title: MOS
Background: Awards
Received:
Badges
Earned: Posthumous
Promotion:
Length
of Service: Southeast
Asia Tour Data: Date
Tour Commenced: November
19, 1968 Major
Command:
1st
Cavalry Division
Air
Assignment: Air
Group:
Battalion:
227th
Assault Helicopter Battalion
Company:
A Company Casualty
Data: Casualty
Date:
January
16, 1969 Casualty
Time: Casualty
Age:
34 Casualty
Data 1: Non-Hostile,
Died of Other Causes
Casualty
Data 2: Air
Loss, Crash on Land
Casualty
Data 3:
Helicopter
- Crew
Casualty
Province:
Binh
Duong Casualty
Country:
South
Vietnam
Located
In Or Near: Casualty Vehicle: UH-1D Iroquois serial number 66-16302 Aircraft Incident Data: click here for Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association report Body Recovered: Yes Burial/Memorial: Burial
Location: Burial
Plot Location: Burial
Date: Consigned
Funeral Home: Military
Escort Name: Easthampton’s Fallen Casualty Order:
4th
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Panel Number: 34W Line Number: 15 Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16302 The Army purchased this helicopter 0467 Total flight hours at this point: 00000525 Date: 01/16/69 Incident number: 690116221ACD Accident case number: 690116221 Total loss or fatality Accident Unit: A/227 AVN The station for this helicopter was Lai Khe in South Vietnam Number killed in accident = 7 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 3 costing 657545 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 CARLIN DAVID ALLEN KIA P CW2 LAPAN GEORGE FRANCIS KIA CE SP5 DEATON JOHN CLAUD KIA G SP4 DEW PAUL ROBERT KIA PX SP5 HOLDER FREDRICK LEE KIA Passengers: SP5 MIRICH JOHN, AR, PX, KIA; PFC OSHEIM JON OWEN, AR, PX, KIA; Accident Summary: THIS AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ITS PARKING AREA AT APPROXIMATELY ^100 HOURS^. IT MADE AN APPROACH AND TERMINATED AT A HOVER NEAR THE MAINTENANCE AREA OF THE ENGINEER BATTALION AT ^LAI KHE^. THERE WERE SEVEN PERSONS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT. THEY HOVERED OVER A PLAY GROUND TEETER TOTTER WHICH THE ENGINEERS HAD CONSTRUCTED FOR AN ORPHANAGE. THE TEETER TOOTTER HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN RIGGED AS A SLING LOAD BY THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER OF THIS HELICOPTER. THE SLING WAS ATTACHED TO THE LIFTING HOOK OF THE HELICOPTER. THE AIRCRAFT HOVERED STRAIGHT UP TO AN ALTITUDE OF 50 TO 75 FEET, CHECKING THE LOAD. HE THEN CALLED THE ^LAI KHE^ TOWER FOR TAKE OFF CLEARANCE. HE WAS CLEARED TO DEPART PARALLEL TO AND EAST OF THE RUNWAY. AS HE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE THE LOAD BEGAN TO OSCILLATE BADLY. AFTER A FEW HUNDRED METERS, AND AT PERHAPS FORTY KNOTS OF FORWARD SPEED, THE END SUPPORT BRACKET BROKE OFF THE PIVOT BAR OF THE TEETER TOTTER. THIS CAUSED THE LOAD TO SHIFT AND THE STEEL TRIANGLE, WHICH WAS THE SUPPORT BRACKET, TO WHIP VIOLENTLY AT THE END OF ITS ROPE. AT A POINT WHEN THE MAIN LOAD WAS AT ITS AFT MOST POSITION OF OSCILLATION, THIS STEEL TRIANGLE FLIPPED FORWARD, THEN AFT, ALLOWING THE TAIL ROTOR TO STRIKE THE ROPE WHICH ATTACHED IT TO THE REST OF THE TEETER TOTTER. AT THAT POINT THE TAIL ROTOR WAS OBSERVED TO SLOW DOWN AND ALMOST STOP. THE LOAD WAS JETTISONED AT THIS POINT AND THE HELICOPTER PROCEEDED FORWARD ON A TRACK OF ABOUT 050 DEGREES WITH ITS NOSE TURNING SLOWLY TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE FUSELAGE HAD TURNED TO APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES TO THE FLIGHT PATH, THE FORWARD SPEED HAD DECREASED TO NEAR ZERO. AT THAT TIME THE HELICOPTER BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT. WITNESSES DISAGREE AS TO THE NUMBER OF TURNS THE AIRCRAFT MADE, BUT GENERALLY AGREE THAT IT WAS NUMEROUS TURNS, THE NOSE SWINGING TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE TOWER OPERATOR OBSERVED THE LOAD FALL TO THE GROUND, HE ADVISED THE PILOT "YOU HAVE DROPPED YOUR SLING LOAD". THE PILOT'S ANSWER WAS "THANK YOU". AT ABOUT THE TIME THE FUSELAGE BEGAN TO TURN THE PILOT SAID TO THE TOWER "I HAVE TAIL ROTOR FAILURE". THE TOWER ROGERED THIS AND ADVISED THAT THE CRASH CREW WAS NOTIFIED. THE PILOT WAS APPARENTLY UNABLE TO INCREASE HIS FORWARD SPEED TO THE POINT THAT THE AIRCRAFT WOULD STREAMLINE AND CONTINUE TO FLY WITHOUT THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE. HE WAS, HOWEVER, ABLE TO KEEP IT AIRBORNE FOR A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME. WITNESSES OBSERVED WHAT SOUNDED TO THEM LIKE REPEATED INCREASING AND DECREASING POWER APPLICATIONS AND ERRATIC ATTITUDE CHANGES THAT APPEARED TO BE ATTEMPTS BY THE PILOT TO MOVE THE AIRCRAFT AWAY FROM THE TROOP AREA, OVER WHICH HE WAS SPINNING. A CREW MEMBER, THOUGHT TO BE THE CREW CHIEF, WAS SEEN STANDING IN THE CABIN OF THE HELICOPTER, LEANING OUT WAVING HIS ARMS IN AN EFFORT TO GET PEOPLE TO LEAVE THE AREA WHERE IT WAS APPARENT THEY WERE GOING TO CRASH. JUST PRIOR TO STRIKING THE TREES THE PILOT SAID OVER THE RADIO "WE'RE GOING IN".\\ This record was last updated on 09/20/98 The following is crew member information for this incident: Name: CPT David Allen Carlin Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/16/69 while performing the duty of Pilot. Age at death: 27.5 Date of Birth: 07/14/41 Home City: Eureka, CA Service: IN branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army. Unit: A/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Flight class: 67-26 Service: IN branch of the U.S. Army. The Wall location: 34W-013 Short Summary: Crashed after dropping a sling load (see-saw for an orphanage) with CW2 Lapan (AC), maint officer. Carlin (P) was XO. An Loc Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16302 Call sign: Chickenman Service number: O5327173 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 1983 Primary cause: A/C Accident Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: unknown Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: pilot Started Tour: 06/14/68 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot Length of service: 08 Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps. 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 07/29/95 Name: SP5 John Claud Deaton Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/16/69 while performing the duty of Crew Chief. Age at death: 21.4 Date of Birth: 08/30/47 Home City: Stonewall, OK Service: component of the U.S. Army. Unit: A/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Service: U.S. Army. The Wall location: 34W-014 Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16302 Service number: 54665982 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 67N20 = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: weapons Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: crew chief Started Tour: 02/10/68 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew Length of service: 01 Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps. Reason: aircraft lost or crashed Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes married male U.S. citizen Race: Caucasian Relgion: Church of Christ 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 07/30/95 Name: SP4 Paul Robert Dew Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/16/69 while performing the duty of Gunner. Age at death: 20.6 Date of Birth: 05/25/48 Home City: Detroit, MI Service: regular component of the U.S. Army. Unit: A/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Service: U.S. Army. The Wall location: 34W-014 Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16302 Service number: 16940473 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 67N20 = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: weapons Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: door gunner Started Tour: 07/20/68 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew Length of service: 01 Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps. 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 07/30/95 Name: SP5 Fredrick Lee Holder Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/16/69 while performing the duty of Passenger. Age at death: 22.8 Date of Birth: 03/28/46 Home City: Cedar Hill, MO Service: regular component of the U.S. Army. Unit: A/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Service: U.S. Army. The Wall location: 34W-015 Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16302 Service number: 16995524 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 67N20 = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: weapons Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: passenger Started Tour: 03/01/68 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew Length of service: 01 Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps. 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: enlisted personnel This record was last updated on 07/30/95 Name: CW2 George Francis Lapan Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/16/69 while performing the duty of Pilot. Age at death: 34.5 Date of Birth: 07/23/34 Home City: Easthampton, MA Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army. Unit: A/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Flight class: 66-7 Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army. The Wall location: 34W-015 Short Summary: Teeter toter for an orphanage swung back struck T/R causing T/R drive shaft to sever & crash on 2nd tour as maint. officer. W/CPT Carlin Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16302 Service number: W3153279 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor Primary cause: A/C Accident Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: unknown Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: co-pilot Started Tour: 11/19/68 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew Length of service: 14 Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps. 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: warrant officer This record was last updated on 07/29/95 Name: SP5 John Mirich Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/16/69 while performing the duty of Passenger. Age at death: 22.4 Date of Birth: 09/02/46 Home City: Struthers, OH Service: component of the U.S. Army. Unit: A/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division Service: U.S. Army. The Wall location: 34W-016 Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16302 Service number: 51830386 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 67N20 = UH-1 Helicopter Repairer Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: unknown Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: passenger Started Tour: 08/04/68 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew Length of service: 01 Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps. Reason: aircraft lost or crashed Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes married male U.S. citizen Race: Caucasian Relgion: other religions (Hindu, Thai, etc.) 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 07/30/95 Name: PFC Jon Owen Osheim Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 01/16/69 while performing the duty of Passenger. Age at death: 25.7 Date of Birth: 04/26/43 Home City: Story City, IA Service: component of the U.S. Army. Unit: A/227 AHB 1 CAV Major organization: 1st Infantry Division Service: U.S. Army. The Wall location: 34W-017 Aircraft: UH-1H tail number 66-16302 Service number: 54931834 Country: South Vietnam MOS: 71M10 = Chaplain's Assistant Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea Compliment cause: weapons Vehicle involved: helicopter Position in vehicle: passenger Started Tour: 12/01/68 "Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - non-aircrew Location: Binh Duong Province III Corps. Reason: aircraft lost or crashed Casualty type: Non-hostile - died of other causes 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 07/30/95 The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1D tail number
66-16302 DATE FLT HRS UIC
UNIT
AREA
POST COUNTRY Printed from databases on: 08/27/00 Copyright © 1998, 1999 and 2000 Vietnam
Helicopter Pilots Association |
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©2008 Stephen A. Judycki.
All Rights Reserved.
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