2) ~Punta Diego, Panama Canal–11

lornajarrettblanchard February 21, 1990

–11 AP. “11 servicemen die in training mission.” Times-News, Twin Falls, ID, 2-24-1990, A3.
–11 Aviation Safety Network. US Army UH 1J and OH 58 crash near Punta Diego, Pan. Canal

Narrative Information

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1990:
“Date: 21-Feb-1990
“Type: Bell UH-1H Iroquois
“Owner/operator: 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, US Army
“Registration: 69-15851
“MSN: 12139
“Fatalities: Fatalities: 9 / Occupants: 9
“Other fatalities: 2 [OH-58]
….
“Location: near Punta Diego, 80 km SW of Colon Panama Canal
“Phase: En Route
“Nature: Military
“Departure airport: Fort Kobbe, Howard Air Force Base, Panama
“Destination airport: Fort Kobbe, Howard Air Force Base, Panama
“Narrative:

“A/C was part of a 4-ship lift peacekeeping mission over jungles on the Atlantic coast of Panama. A/C crashed into a mountain near Punta Diego, 80 km SW of Colon, Panama Canal Zone while searching for the OH-58 Involved (69-15851) that crashed into the same mountain. All nine person on board (crew of two plus seven troops) were killed:

WO1 Richard T. Block [Pilot]
WO1 Vincent C. Gibson [Pilot]
SPC Joel L. Meints [Chief Engineer]
PVT Jude W. Johnson [C]
PV2 Charles D. Allison
SPC Rodney L. Blodgett
SGT Sidney T. Dew
SPC Kurt M. Magill
SGT Antonio B. Solis

“The wreckage of both helicopters, along with the 11 fatalities (9 in the Iroquois. plus 2 in the Kiowa), were found two days later (February 23 1990).”

Newspaper

Feb 24, AP: “Washington (AP) – Two U.S. Army helicopters crashed during a training mission in Panama, killing all 11 servicemen aboard, U.S. military authorities said Friday. The U.S. Southern Command in Panama said the aircraft encountered thunderstorms Wednesday night while flying on the Atlantic side of the isthmus, but gave no other details about the circumstances of the accidents. U.S. search teams found an Army OH058 observation helicopter Thursday morning in heavy jungle terrain near Punta Diego, about 50 miles southwest of Colon. The other, a UH-1H Huey helicopter, was discovered about four miles away Friday afternoon. All four crew members and five passengers in the Huey were dead, the Southern Command statement said….

“Both occupants of the observation helicopter also were killed. They were identified as Warrant Officer James W. Carl, the pilot, and Capt. Richard D. Tyndall….

“Both helicopters were based at Fort Kobbe, adjacent to Howard Air Base.” (Associated Press. “11 servicemen die in training mission.” Times-News, Twin Falls, ID, 2-24-1990, A3.)

Sources

Associated Press. “11 servicemen die in training mission.” Times-News, Twin Falls, ID, 2-24-1990, A3. Accessed 7-26-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/twin-falls-times-news-feb-24-1990-p-3/

Aviation Safety Network, Flight Safety Foundation, Database, 1990. US Army UH-1H and OH-58 crash near Punta Diego, Panama Canal, 21-Feb-1990. Accessed 7-26-2023 at:
https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/77045