ACCIDENT AFTERMATHCH-47C No. 69-1720 Date: 21 July 71By Gary R. EnglertSp5, NCOIC, Aviation Safety Section, Sep-70 to Aug-71 14th Combat Aviation Battalion DisclaimerWhile memory fades after 30 years, it has always been my distinct recollection that this particular accident occurred at FSB Mary Ann, not at LZ Professional, as indicated in the 178th ASHC aircraft loss log. These locales were relatively close together, not more than fifteen kilometers apart. Notwithstanding, I would gladly stand corrected, should anyone's memory or information be more accurate than mine.General InformationIn addition to involving ourselves with general aviation safety issues, the 14th Battalion's Aviation Safety Section had overall responsibility for recovery of accident and combat damaged aircraft and crews, as well as the compilation of relevant technical reports, to include; appointment of an investigating officer and preparation of aviation accident reports, when indicated. Every incident, concerning actual or potential aircraft damage (i.e.; combat damage, precautionary landings, forced landings, blade strides and major airframe damage, etc.), was reported to the Aviation Safety Section and forwarded to higher headquarters. The primary administrative medium of this function was a report called a "Crash Facts Message".Ideally, company operations personnel would make the report of such incidents via landline, as soon as they became aware of the incident. It was incumbent upon the Battalion's Aviation Safety Officer to determine if the incident/aircraft damage rose to a level requiring an accident investigation. Often, this required examination of an airframe, in the field. By design, officers assigned as an ASO were graduates of a course of study in Aviation Safety, given at the University of Southern California, and providing specific training in the area of aircraft accident investigations. If it was determined that an accident investigation was required, an officer-pilot, who was type certified in, (and equal or exceeding the rank of the Aircraft commander of and not assigned to the same company of the subject aircraft), would be appointed as the investigating officer. His report |