The aircraft was part of a Hunter-Killer team consisting of an AH - 1G and an OH - 6A.
The pilot of the OH-6A went to the flight line at 0600 hours to perform the preflight inspection.
During the preflight, the pilot noted that the fuel quantity gauge indicated 250 pounds of fuel,
instead of 300 pounds, which C TROOP normally carries on a OH-6A.
The pilot asked PSG Carter about this
and the answer was that this particular aircraft had 300 pounds of fuel when the fuel gauge read 250.
Also, the instrument panel had a statement to this effect written above the fuel gauge.
During his preflight the pilot did not visually check the fuel level in the fuel cell,
even though it is a required part of the preflight inspection.
The aircraft was run up at 0630 hours and the team took off from SABRE AIRFIELD at 0645 hours.
The team proceeded to the AO and after conducting 50 minutes of visual reconnaissance,
LT Reed told the cobra pilot that he had 80 pounds of fuel remaining.
The Cobra pilot told LT Reed to gain altitude and also gave him a heading back to DI AN.
The team encountered a flight of UH - 1H's while gaining altitude,
at which time the Cobra crew lost visual contact with the OH for 5 minutes.
After visual contact was established, the Cobra was disoriented as to the teams location.
The Cobra pilot told LT Reed to land next to U.S. Troops that were directly below
in order to locate the teams position.
LT Reed landed and was on the ground for approximately 2 or 3 minutes when he observed 40 pounds of fuel indicated.
He radioed back the coordinates to the Cobra,
LT Reed then took off to the west and the Cobra pilot told him to turn north when he got to a road at his 12 o' clock.
LT Reed acknowledged and said that he had 40 pounds of fuel remaining.

This was LT Reed's last radio transmission.

LT Reed flew low level at a 90 knot airspeed and executed a cyclic climb to clear a row of trees.
After clearing the trees, LT Reed lowered the nose with approximately 90 feet altitude and a 60 knot airspeed.
At this time, an engine failure occurred and LT Reed executed an autorotation.
At 40 feet a flare was attempted.
The flare did not greatly reduce the airspeed.

The aircraft hit the ground on its left side in a nose low attitude,
with the airspeed estimated to be between 30 and 50 knots.
The aircraft came to rest 50 meters from the point of impact.