Helicopter UH-1B 64-14037

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1B tail number 64-14037
The Army purchased this helicopter 0665
Total flight hours at this point: 00001893
Date: 07/12/68
Incident number: 680712151ACD Accident case number: 680712151 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: A/2/20 ARA 1 CAV
The station for this helicopter was Bien Hoa in South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: YD328493
Number killed in accident = 3 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 472154
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:
AC WO1 CORLEW ROY KENNETH KIA
P WO1 TOMLINSON DAVID CULLEN KIA
G SP4 TAPP MARION NEAL KIA

Accident Summary:

At 0100 hours, 12 July 1968, the aircraft took off from the artillery helipad at LZ Sharon. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft searchlight was turned off. At this time with the aircraft at about 150 feet, heading approximately 170 degrees, there was a muffled explosion, followed by sparks and fire from the rear of the engine section. The aircraft contacted the ground at a very high rate of descent. The searchlight was turned on just prior to impact. The wreckage exploded shortly after impact and was engulfed in flames. Ordanance aboard began detonating almost immediately, preventing any rescue efforts. There were no crash rescue facilities available. All crew members died in the fire. All controls, switches, and the entire cabin section were consumed in the fire

This record was last updated on 05/25/98

The following is crew member information for this incident:

Name: WO1 Roy Kenneth Corlew
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 07/12/68 while performing the duty of Aircraft Commander.
Age at death: 23.9
Date of Birth: 08/09/44
Home City: Granville, NY
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: A/2/20 ARA 1 CAV
Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division
Flight class: 67-501
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 52W-018
Short Summary: Engine failed after night launch from LZ Sharon. Huey hit at high speed, immediately exploded and burned.
Aircraft: UH-1B tail number 64-14037
Service number: W3159094
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: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Started Tour: 03/18/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Presbyterian
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 08/27/97

Name: WO1 David Cullen Tomlinson
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 07/12/68 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 24.0
Date of Birth: 07/10/44
Home City: Garden Grove, CA
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: A/2/20 ARA 1 CAV
Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division
Flight class: 68-501
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 52W-020
Short Summary: Engine failed after night launch from LZ Sharon. Huey hit at high speed, immediately exploded and burned.
Aircraft: UH-1B tail number 64-14037
Service number: W3160296
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 062B = Helicopter Pilot, Utility and Light Cargo Single Rotor
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: pilot
Started Tour: 06/19/68
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - pilot
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Protestant - no denominational preference
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 08/27/97

Name: SP4 Marion Neal Tapp
Status: Killed In Action from an incident on 07/12/68 while performing the duty of Gunner.
Age at death: 21.1
Date of Birth: 06/15/47
Home City: Port Deposit, MD
Service: regular component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: A/2/20 ARA 1 CAV
Major organization: 1st Cavalry Division
Service: U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 52W-020
Short Summary: Engine failed after night launch from LZ Sharon. Huey hit at high speed, immediately exploded and burned.
Aircraft: UH-1B tail number 64-14037
Service number: 11567866
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 67A1F = Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: fire or burns
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: crew chief
Started Tour: 04/29/67
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
Length of service: 01
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
Casualty type: Non-hostile - died while missing
single male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Relgion: Methodist (Evangelical United Brethren)
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 08/27/97

The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1B tail number 64-14037
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 0665.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6610  57  653 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6611  39  692 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6612  33  725 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6701  55  780 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6702  30  810 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6703  48  858 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6704  29  887 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6705  84  971 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6706  78 1049 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6707  46 1095 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6708  91 1186 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6709  71 1257 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6710  69 1326 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6711 115 1441 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN       
6712  60 1501 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6801   0 1501 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6802  82 1583 WAG3A0 ABTRY2BN20A1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6803  55 1638 WAG7EA BTRYE82ART 1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN      
6804  43 1681 3261   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM      
6805  85 1766 3261   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY  
6806 127 1893 3261   355 AVN CO       4TH ARMY   FORT SILL        4TH ARMY

Please send additions or corrections to:

Gary Roush
43 Overbrook Road
Painted Post, NY 14870

Send comments and questions to the VHPA at ( webmaster@vhpa.org )

Printed from databases on: 02/14/99

Return to Main Index