1965 — June 15, two US Army Helicopters Collide mid-air, Fort Benning, GA –all 18

— 18 Baugher, Joseph F. 1963 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-16-2012 revision.
–>18 Brownsville Herald, TX. “At Least 18…Killed as 2 ‘Copters’ Collide…” 6-15-1965, 1.
— 18 Gero. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. 1999, p. 87.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “Bell UH-1D-BF Iroquois….8760 (c/n 4052) collided with UH-1 63-8840 near Columbus, GA Jun 15, 1965. All 10 occupants killed…..

“8840 (c/n 4132) collided with UH-1 63-8760 near Columbus, GA Jun 15, 1965. All 8 occupants killed.” (Baugher, Joseph F. 1963 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-16-2012 revision.)

Gero: “During a tactical troop lift operation, the two turbine-engine helicopters collided in mid-air and crashed at the Fort Benning military base about 5 miles north-north-west of the town of Cusseta, killing 18 American servicemen. There were no survivors among the occupants of either aircraft, 10 aboard 8760 and eight aboard 8840; the victims included a three-member crew assigned to each aircraft.

“The two involved in the accident were among eight UH-1D helicopters flying in two groups of four aircraft each. After the pilot of the lead helicopter of one approximately diamond- shaped formation decided to leave the flight for a weather check, he radioed his intentions to the No. 2 aircraft, 8760, in front of which he would make his turn, assuming that the No. 3, 8840, which was to his left rear, would remain in position. But when the flight leader accelerated and initiated a climbing right turn, the No. 3 inexplicably turned the same direction, as if to follow, while the No. 2 made a slight left turn. The resulting collision occurred at an above-ground height of approximately 300 to 350ft (100-105m), despite an evasive bank by 8840. Both helicopters lost their main rotor blades and plummeted to earth, and 8760 burned after its impact with the ground. The fourth UH-1D in the group banked to the right and managed to avoid the flying debris. Despite rain showers in the vicinity, the meteorological conditions were apparently good at the time and location of the accident.” (Gero 1999, pp. 87-88.)

Newspaper

June 15: “Columbus, Ga. (UPI) – Two giant helicopters loaded with infantry troops collided in flight over nearby Ft. Benning today and an Army spokesman said at least 18 soldiers died in the fiery crash.

“One witness said the two huge ‘copters were flying in formation at a low altitude when they rammed into each other and plunged into a dense forest and swamp area. He said both burst into flames.

“The spokesman identified the troops aboard the helicopters as members of Company C, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment of the llth Air Assault Division.

“The helicopters, both of the U111D7 type nicknames “Hueys” were from Company B, 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion of the same division….

“The eyewitness told the Columbus, Ga., Ledger that he was aboard one of several other helicopters flying in formation on the training mission. He said that poor visibility and weather conditions may have been a factor in the collision.

“The area where the helicopters fell was reported to be near King’s Pond on the Ft. Benning military reservation. That particular area is permanently restricted and newsmen and photographers were not permitted to go to the crash scene.

“The collision was the second of its kind this month. The first occurred on June 6 over the South China Sea. In that earlier crash, two U.S. Marine helicopters involved in the fighting in Vietnam collided in flight after taking off from the aircraft carrier Iwo Jima, killing all eight crewmen.” (Brownsville Herald, TX. “At Least 18 Are Killed as 2 ‘Copters Collide at Fort Benning, Ga.” 6-15-1965, 1.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. 1963 USAF Serial Numbers. 1-13-2016 revision. Accessed 4-7-2016 at: http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1963.html

Brownsville Herald, TX. “At Least 18 Are Killed as 2 ‘Copters Collide at Fort Benning, Ga.” 6-15-1965, 1. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=74286684

Gero, David. Military Aviation Disasters: Significant Losses Since 1908. UK and Newbury Park, CA: Patrick Stephens Limited, an imprint of Hayes Publishing, 1999.