| Date: 18 January 1969 |
| Aircraft type: O-2A Skymaster |
| Serial Number: 67-21350 |
| Military Unit: 20 TASS, 504 TASG |
| Service: USAF |
| Home Base: Da Nang |
| Name(s): |
| Maj George H Blair (Survived) |
| 2Lt William E Townsley (Survived) |
| As the search for the downed airmen was going on between Ban Kate and Ban Vangthon an O-2 was going about its business about 15 miles to the south. The aircraft was flying near the village of Ban Palin in order to assess damage done to trucks on the Trail during the previous night. As the aircraft was flying at 7,500 feet it was hit by AAA and the tail was damaged. Unable to control the aircraft, the pilot (call sign Covey 285) and observer bailed out and landed near the wreckage. They were both rescued over the next two days by Jolly Green 32 (a HH-3E of the 37th ARRS) and Jolly Green 69 (a HH-53 of the 40th ARRS) although Maj Blair was injured when exiting the O-2A. The A-1 escorts dropped CBU-19 tear gas cannisters during the rescue to keep NVA troops away from the downed crew. |
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