Fatal U.S. Army AH-64D crash in Afghanistan...

Stratofreighter · Post by **Stratofreighter** » 27 May 2011, 18:21

http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=122755

Date: 26-MAY-2011
Time:

Type: helicopter
Operator: ISAF
Registration:
C/n / msn:

Fatalities: Fatalities: 1 / Occupants:
Other fatalities: 0
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)

Location: Paktia province - Afghanistan
Phase:
Nature: Military
Departure airport:
Destination airport:

Narrative:
NATO says a helicopter crash in eastern Afghanistan has killed one service member.

A coalition statement says the cause of the crash on Thursday remains unknown and an investigation is under way.

The copter was destroyed following the crash in Nika district of the province near the Pakistan border.
There were no details on the nationality of the deceased service member as NATO typically waits for national authorities to release information on deaths to make sure relatives have been informed.

Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/nat ... =rss_world

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/05/26/is ... pter-crash

wonju666 · Post by **wonju666** » 29 May 2011, 17:42

According to ArmyAirCrews:
date 25 MAY 11 (note: aviation-safety.net mentions 26 May 2011!)
KIA: CWO Christopher R. Thibodeau [P]
WIA: 1 injured
Location; Afghanistan
Unit: C/1-4 ARB
AH-64D crashed Paktika Province. Investigation continues.

AmericanSoldier15U · Post by **AmericanSoldier15U** » 22 Jun 2011, 19:12

This crash was one of my units birds. Mr. Thibodeau was a great pilot with a wonderful family and his first baby on the way. He will be sorely missed by all. The pilot of the aircraft (Mr. T was the weapons officer on the flight) is recovering back in the states just fine. He is a CW5, so speculation he will not fly any more. We will see. We miss you Mr. T.

wonju666 · Post by **wonju666** » 22 Jun 2011, 20:13

AmericanSoldier15U wrote:This crash was one of my units birds. Mr. Thibodeau was a great pilot with a wonderful family and his first baby on the way. He will be sorely missed by all. The pilot of the aircraft (Mr. T was the weapons officer on the flight) is recovering back in the states just fine. He is a CW5, so speculation he will not fly any more. We will see. We miss you Mr. T.

I would like to express my sympathy towards the unit involved and Mr. Thibodeau's family. The fact that his wife is expecting their child, makes it even more tragic.

AmericanSoldier15U · Post by **AmericanSoldier15U** » 22 Jun 2011, 20:25

wonju666 wrote: I would like to express my sympathy towards the unit involved and Mr. Thibodeau's family. The fact that his wife is expecting their child, makes it even more tragic.

yes it is very tough. he got married just before the deployment, had his honeymoon on R&R, and it was only a few days before his flight that they found out she was pregnant. let it be known, though, that the pilot did everything he could to save the helo and put it down in a way that both pilots would survive. tragic incident all around. thanks for the sympathies.

for anyone familiar with the "tragedy" that is the Rebecca Black "Friday" fiasco, here is a parody of the song out C. Co (Apache ground crew and pilots) guys did and dedicated to Mr. T.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke540CmM0iE

wonju666 · Post by **wonju666** » 22 Jun 2011, 20:36

Great job this parody! Fitting tribute to one of those army aviators who have given their life in Afghanistan. Keep up the good work!

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