McBride, Ronald George
Killed in Flying Accident 1976-05-16
Birth Date: 1934-February-15
Born: Toronto, Ontario
Son of Patrick William and Mary Elsie (nee Couimons) McBride of Toronto, Ontario.
Home: Toronto, Ontario
Enlistment: Toronto, Ontario
Enlistment Date: 1954-10-12
Decorations: CD
Service
RCAF
Unit
444 Sqn- Squadron
Strike Swift Strike Sure
Base
Rank
Captain
Position
Captain
Service Numbers
D65513870
Home
Toronto, Ontario
Canadian Virtual War MemorialKiowa 136235
Transport 1976-May-16 to 1976-May-16
444 () () CFB Lahr, Germany
Ex US Army OH-58A-BF 71-20900. With No. 444 Squadron at CFB Lahr, Germany. Destroyed when it struck wires during low flight near Avasinis, north east Italy on 16 May 1976. the flight had originally departed Venzone, Italy on a reconnaissance mission in an earthquake affected area to familiarize the crew with the area while looking for other damage. The crew observed some problems with the dam in the area just north of Avasinis and proceeded up the valley towards the dam for further inspection. Exiting the valley, the pilot flew into an undetected cable. The helo was flying at approximately 200 ft above the ground at 60 knots. The cable slid up the windshield, cut through the upper cowling and then contacted the mast and control rods. The cable snapped and became entangled in the mast. The pilot initiated a descent but approximately 50 ft above ground, the control rods severed and the main rotor decelerated. The pilot lost control as a result and the helo yawed left, hit the ground nose low and rolled inverted. Captain R.G. "Buck" McBride was killed in the crash and the rest of the crew was injured. This accident contributed directly to further CF interest in the Bristol Canada Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS).SOS: 23 December 1976 - Category "A" write-offBell CH-136 Kiowa
Bell CH-136 Kiowa (Serial No. 1362--), No. 444 Sqn, 4 CMBG, Germany.
The OH-58A Kiowa is a 4-place observation helicopter. The Kiowa has two-place pilot seating, although the controls in the left seat are designed to be removed to carry a passenger up front. A total of 74 OH-58A helicopters were delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces between 1971 and 1972 as a Light Observation Helicopter (LOH), performing duties such as reconnaissance, command and liaison or artillery fire direction. The CAF re-designated them as the CH-136 Kiowa. Although similar in appearance to the trainer Bell CH-139 Jet Ranger, major differences between the two helicopters include the main rotor blades and dynamic components. The CH-136 was powered by a C-18 engine and the CH-139 was powered by a C-20 engine.Harold Skaarup web page
Wikipedia Kiowa helicopter 
Harold A Skaarup Web Page 
CH-136 Kiowa - Kestrel PublicationsKiowa 136235 - Transport - 1976-05-16 to 1976-05-16
6 Group Unavailable
Ex US Army OH-58A-BF 71-20900. With No. 444 Squadron at CFB Lahr, Germany. Destroyed when it struck wires during low flight near Avasinis, north east Italy on 16 May 1976. the flight had originally departed Venzone, Italy on a reconnaissance mission in an earthquake affected area to familiarize the crew with the area while looking for other damage. The crew observed some problems with the dam in the area just north of Avasinis and proceeded up the valley towards the dam for further inspection. Exiting the valley, the pilot flew into an undetected cable. The helo was flying at approximately 200 ft above the ground at 60 knots. The cable slid up the windshield, cut through the upper cowling and then contacted the mast and control rods. The cable snapped and became entangled in the mast. The pilot initiated a descent but approximately 50 ft above ground, the control rods severed and the main rotor decelerated. The pilot lost control as a result and the helo yawed left, hit the ground nose low and rolled inverted. Captain R.G. "Buck" McBride was killed in the crash and the rest of the crew was injured. This accident contributed directly to further CF interest in the Bristol Canada Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS).SOS: 23 December 1976 - Category "A" write-off