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File: 980715_may96_sagwi1_0008.txt
Subject = COLLATERAL INVESTIGATION 22 DEC 90
Box ID = BX001415
Folder title = COLLATERAL INVESTIGATION 2
Unit = 24TH ID
Parent = XVIII CORPS
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
24th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
APO New York 09315
AFZP-VJA 21 Dec 90
MEMORANDUM FOR Commanding General, Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division
(Mechanized), APO Mew York 09315
SUBJECT: Collateral Investigation Narrative Summary
1. Authority: The authority to conduct this investigation memorandum,
AFZP-GA, dated 9 Dec 90, Subject: Appointment of Collateral
Investigation Officer (Encl T)
2. Background: On 7 Dec 1990, I was notified by COL Kern, Commander
2d Bde, 24th ID (M) that I had been appointed as a 15-6 Investigating
Officer for a tank fire which occurred in 3/69th AR on 5 Dec 90. After
completion of the AR 15-6 Investigation, I was notified by MAJ Young,
the 24th ID (M) Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, that I had been further
appointed as a Collateral Investigation Officer for the same accident
on 13 Dec 90.
a. Appointment orders as the Collateral Investigation Officer
attached at Enci 1. I previously received orders as an AR 15-6
Investigation Officer on 9 Dec 90 from Cdr, 2d Bde; this earlier AR
15-6 investigation was on-going when I received appointment orders as a
collateral investigating officer and the work product of the AR 15-6
investigation is incorporated herein.
b. In conducting the investigation I reviewed (1) AR 15-6,
Procedures for Investigating Officers and Boards of Officers; (2) AR
55-9, Marine Casualties; (3) AR 340-17, Release of Information and
Records from Army Files; (4) AR 385-40, Accident Reporting and Records;
(5) Section 552, Title 5, United States Code, Privacy Act; (6)
Exemption No. 6 Freedom of Information Act; (7) Letter, AFZP-CG, 6 Jan
87, Subject: Collateral Investigations of Accidents; (8) 24th Inf Div
(M) and FS Reg 95-4; (9) FORSCOM Cir 385-88-1 (Collateral Accident
Investigations). I was briefed by MAJ Young, Deputy Staff Judge
Advocate, 24th Inf Div (M) on 13 Dec 90.
C. Under investigation was an MIIP tank from 3d Battalion, 69th
Armor (bumper #A66), which caught fire and burned after the tank had
pulled into the company assembly area on 5 Dec 90. On or about 1800,
as the battalion convoy returned from a Brigade Command and Control
exercise, Bumper #A66 began experiencing transmission difficulties and
continued into the company assembly area. After coming to a halt, the
crew dismounted to seek maintenance assistance and the fire started in
the engine compartment. The tank was completely destroyed over a 12-14
ho-ur period along with an amount of associated equipment and
ammunition. The cause of the fire is impossible to determine given the
expertise available in the division and the total destruction of the
tank; however, it was apparently caused by a transmission which was
having mechanical difficulty, which overheated and ignited oil or fuel
residue in the hull of the tank and electrical wiring in the power
pack. Both fixed fire extinguishers were manually fired and failed to
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
24th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
APO New York 09315
AFZP-VJA 21 Dec 90
MEMORANDUM FOR Commanding General, Headquarters, 24th Infantry Division
(Mechanized), APO Mew York 09315
SUBJECT: Collateral Investigation Narrative Summary
1. Authority: The authority to conduct this investigation memorandum,
AFZP-GA, dated 9 Dec 90, Subject: Appointment of Collateral
Investigation Officer (Encl T)
2. Background: On 7 Dec 1990, I was notified by COL Kern, Commander
2d Bde, 24th ID (M) that I had been appointed as a 15-6 Investigating
Officer for a tank fire which occurred in 3/69th AR on 5 Dec 90. After
completion of the AR 15-6 Investigation, I was notified by MAJ Young,
the 24th ID (M) Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, that I had been further
appointed as a Collateral Investigation Officer for the same accident
on 13 Dec 90.
a. Appointment orders as the Collateral Investigation Officer
attached at Enci 1. I previously received orders as an AR 15-6
Investigation Officer on 9 Dec 90 from Cdr, 2d Bde; this earlier AR
15-6 investigation was on-going when I received appointment orders as a
collateral investigating officer and the work product of the AR 15-6
investigation is incorporated herein.
b. In conducting the investigation I reviewed (1) AR 15-6,
Procedures for Investigating Officers and Boards of Officers; (2) AR
55-9, Marine Casualties; (3) AR 340-17, Release of Information and
Records from Army Files; (4) AR 385-40, Accident Reporting and Records;
(5) Section 552, Title 5, United States Code, Privacy Act; (6)
Exemption No. 6 Freedom of Information Act; (7) Letter, AFZP-CG, 6 Jan
87, Subject: Collateral Investigations of Accidents; (8) 24th Inf Div
(M) and FS Reg 95-4; (9) FORSCOM Cir 385-88-1 (Collateral Accident
Investigations). I was briefed by MAJ Young, Deputy Staff Judge
Advocate, 24th Inf Div (M) on 13 Dec 90.
C. Under investigation was an MIIP tank from 3d Battalion, 69th
Armor (bumper #A66), which caught fire and burned after the tank had
pulled into the company assembly area on 5 Dec 90. On or about 1800,
as the battalion convoy returned from a Brigade Command and Control
exercise, Bumper #A66 began experiencing transmission difficulties and
continued into the company assembly area. After coming to a halt, the
crew dismounted to seek maintenance assistance and the fire started in
the engine compartment. The tank was completely destroyed over a 12-14
ho-ur period along with an amount of associated equipment and
ammunition. The cause of the fire is impossible to determine given the
expertise available in the division and the total destruction of the
tank; however, it was apparently caused by a transmission which was
having mechanical difficulty, which overheated and ignited oil or fuel
residue in the hull of the tank and electrical wiring in the power
pack. Both fixed fire extinguishers were manually fired and failed to
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