1966 — Dec 12, US Navy Sea Knight helicopter crash 34 miles off San Diego, CA –all 10

–10 AP. “Debris Seen; No Sign of Survivors.” The Humboldt Times, Eureka, CA. 12-13-1966, p1.
–10 Aviation Safety Network. USN Helicopter crash 24 miles off San Diego CA, 12-12-1966.

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database:
“Date: 12 Dec 1966….
“Type: helicopter [A Sea Knight]
“Owner/operator: United States Navy (USN)
….
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 10
….
“Location: 34 mi off San Diego, CA
….
“Nature: Military
“Destination airport: assault ship Tripoli
“Confidence rating: Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
“Narrative:

“Navy jet powered helicopter crashed into the sea four miles (two minutes) of its destination. Body of Lt (jg) Lawrence P. Beam (25) recovered.” (Aviation Safety Network. USN Helicopter crash 24 miles off San Diego CA, 12-12-1966.)

Newspaper

Dec 13, AP: “San Diego (AP) – A Navy Sea Knight helicopter with 10 aboard crashed at sea Monday 30 miles west of San Diego an four miles from its destination, the Navy said. After five hours of searching in thee dark, debris had been sighted but nothing to indicate survivors, spokesmen said.

“The Navy identified nine of the missing men as:

Navy Capt. John R. McKee of Coronado, Calif., commanding officer of Amphibious Squadron 9 based at Coronado.

Four members of his staff,
Lt. Cmdr. Walter J. Wincek of Coronado,
Lt. John M. Swazey of Imperial Beach, Calif.,
Lt. Russell B. Scanehorn of San Diego, and
Lt. Paul C. Hord of San Diego
Lt. Cmdr. Clarence B. Van Gundy, 32, of Chula Vista, the pilot.
Lt. Cmdr. Stearns Hayward, 31 of Chula Vista, the copilot
Lt. (jg) Lawrence P. Bearm, 25, of Imperial Beach.
Chief Aviation Electrician John M. Powell, 44, Chula Vista.

“The pilot and his crew were attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 1, based at Ream Field, Imperial Beach.

“The twin-rotor craft was carrying Capt. McKee and members of his staff to the assault ship Tripoli, where his organization was working in a training mission, the Navy said. McKee had been ashore earlier in the day to inspect another ship.

“Navy spokesmen said the crash came without warning shortly before 5 p.m.” (Associated Press. “Debris Seen; No Sign of Survivors.” The Humboldt Times, Eureka, CA. 12-13-1966, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Debris Seen; No Sign of Survivors.” The Humboldt Times, Eureka, CA. 12-13-1966, p. 1. Accessed 7-14-2023 at:
https://newspaperarchive.com/eureka-humboldt-times-dec-13-1966-p-21/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database. US Navy Helicopter crash 24 miles off San Diego CA, 12-12-1966. Accessed 7-14-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/266972