USMC d/d 31jul70
05nov74 HMH-461, MCAS New River
w/o 11mar77 mid-air collision with CH-53D 156956 near Tryon, NC, no survivors
I was a 6113 in HMH-461 when this happened. I was going to go on this flight to Chicago to visit my sister in LaPorte, Indiana but decided not to go at last minute because I was broke that weekend. Somebody was looking out for me. HMH-461
Pilots survived. Crash was controlled flight into terrain, flight of two. Dash 2 had just enough time after lead impacted to nose up for pancake into the side of mountain.
Hey my name is Alan I have been to that crash site various times there is two sites the lower sits all is left is a burned spot but the upper spot from the cockpit back is still there but to get to get that spot is a climb it's on side of the steep hill and there's a lot of the helo parts still there I've been trying to also get info on this crash
I was there
“ By Cpl George Soter :
At the time of the accident I was there and on recovery, thanks to the people of Hickory NC and Henderson for making us welcome during this trying time... Cold and raining and they set up food and tents for us, and provided us with the hotel/motel to stay in.
I was a Cpl assigned to the metal shop, I was going to go with John ( John Boy ) Northcott to go see my wife and family, something came up and I was pulled from it the night before. I was in the BKS the next day when I heard what happened, I went back to the hangar and volunteered to go and help recover. Sgt Green also survived and lost an ear. we recovered the bodies of the crews, it was raining and storming, the county we were in was a dry country and the local authorities went to the next country and bought us beer. the people up there around Henderson treated all of us with the utmost respect, Charlie Morris and John Boy and LaRue and I were all good friends and we hung out a lot. Every time I drive up to Hickory I remember them..... ”
Pilots of the second aircraft survived. Everyone in the lead aircraft perished. I was in HMH-461 but deployed to the Med when it happened. HMH-461
