Incident Date 19710419 HMM-262 CH-46D 154839 - Mechanical Failure
Wallace, John Thomas 1stLT Pilot HMM-262 MAG-16 1971-04-19 (vvm 04W:136)
VanGundy, George Jefferson Cpl Crew HMM-262 MAG-16 1971-04-19 (vvm 04W:135)
Olson, Bruce Dennis LCpl Crew HMM-262 MAG-16 1971-04-19 (vvm 04W:134)
Comment on Incident
A CH-46D ET-12 crashed in about six to ten feet of surf about one kilometer north of Marble Mountain Air Facility due to non-hostile causes. While flying at approximately 600-700 feet at 90-100 knots the rotor blades of the aircraft meshed due to a mechanical failure.
Submitted by: N/A, 20030817Personal Narrative
Pilot of a CH-46 which had a transmission failure off the coast of Marble
Mountain Air Facility. The plane crashed in the water and Lt Wallace was killed
in the crash. Information on this incident provided by Daniel J. Moseler, LtCol
USMCR(Ret); Peter T. Baron, LtCol USMCR(Ret); Mark Bumm, Capt USMC
Personal Narrative
I was flying in the lead aircraft of a section of CH-46's, which had just departed MMAF to "check guns" prior to standing night medevac. Immediately after going feet wet, our wingman (1stLt Jack Wallace's crew) crashed just off China Beach, due to a catastrophic transmission failure. Two crew members were KIA at the site. Jack survived the crash, but died the next day from his injuries. I believe Jack was the last "Flying Tiger" to die in country (RVN).
Submitted by: Paul M. Philpott LtCol USMCR (Ret), Flying H2P in lead aircraft, 20050105