Skywarrior crash 21 January 1973

Wiehr, Richard Daniel
Navy Aviation electronics technician 2nd class

Richard Daniel Wiehr, age 22, from Mankato, Minnesota, Blue Earth county.

Service era: Vietnam

Date of death: Sunday, January 21, 1973
Death details: On January 21, 1973, an EKA-3B Skywarrior (bureau number 142634) carrying a crew of three was to make a night catapult launch from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61), located in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam. A malfunction occurred during the launch, causing the Skywarrior to run off the carrier deck at a slow speed. It crashed into the water and sank. An extensive search for the aircraft’s crew was unsuccessful in locating them. All three members of the Skywarrior’s crew remain unaccounted for.

Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class Richard Daniel Wiehr, who joined the U.S. Navy from Minnesota, was a member of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 130. He was a crew member aboard this Skywarrior when it crashed, and was lost with the aircraft. His remains were not recovered. Today, Petty Officer Wiehr is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual’s case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Christophersen, Keith Allen
Navy lieutenant (junior grade)

Keith Allen Christophersen, 26, from South Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Service era: Vietnam

Date of death: Sunday, January 21, 1973
Death details: 

On January 21, 1973, an EKA-3B Skywarrior (bureau number 142634) carrying a crew of three was to make a night catapult launch from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61), located in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam. A malfunction occurred during the launch, causing the Skywarrior to run off the carrier deck at a slow speed. It crashed into the water and sank. An extensive search for the aircraft’s crew was unsuccessful in locating them. All three members of the Skywarrior’s crew remain unaccounted for.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Keith Allen Christophersen, who joined the U.S. Navy from Minnesota, was a member of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 130. He was a crew member aboard this Skywarrior when it crashed, and was lost with the aircraft. His remains were not recovered. Today, Lieutenant Junior Grade Christophersen is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual’s case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

Parker, Charles Leslie
Navy Lieutenant commander

Charles Leslie Parker, age 33, from San Diego, California, San Diego county.

Service era: Vietnam

Date of death: Sunday, January 21, 1973
Death details:  On January 21, 1973, an EKA-3B Skywarrior (bureau number 142634) carrying a crew of three was to make a night catapult launch from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CV-61), located in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam. A malfunction occurred during the launch, causing the Skywarrior to run off the carrier deck at a slow speed. It crashed into the water and sank. An extensive search for the aircraft’s crew was unsuccessful in locating them. All three members of the Skywarrior’s crew remain unaccounted for.

Lieutenant Commander Charles Leslie Parker Jr., who joined the U.S. Navy from California, was a member of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 130. He was the pilot of the Skywarrior when it crashed, and was lost with the aircraft. His remains were not recovered. Today, Lieutenant Commander Parker is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Based on all information available, DPAA assessed the individual’s case to be in the analytical category of Non-recoverable.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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