GAJAN ALTON LOUIS

Narrative

After completing an ammo resupply for an artillery unit, the aircraft was returning to An Khe. Since this was one of the first times they had flown with sling gear that included a net with a canvas bottom, the crew tried an experiment. They let out all 100 feet of cable while the sling equipment dangling from the hook. Either the cable or the sling gear tangled in the tail rotor and whipped into the main rotor blades. One main blade came off and went through the cabin. The aircraft disintegrated, crashed and everyone on board died. This was the first CH-54A loss and fatalities in Vietnam. Since the 478th Avn Co only had four aircraft, this loss significantly impacted their operations. This information was supplied by VHPA member Bob Marsh.