Accident Summary:
THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED CAMP SALLY ON A ROUTINE RESUPPLY MISSION AT APPROXIMATELY 1230 HOURS. THE MISSION INCLUDED A RESUPPLY TO A LANDING ZONE IN THE VICINITY OF DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN, THEN CONTINUED TO EAGLE'S NEST. THERE WAS ONE PASSENGER AND ONE SUNDRY PACKAGE ON BOARD TO BE DELIVERED TO EAGLE'S NEST. AFTER RADIO CONTACT WAS ESTABLISHED WITH EAGLE'S NEST, THE PILOT REQUESTED LANDING SMOKE. THE LANDING SMOKE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMMAND ELEMENT OF THE^2ND BATTALION, 501ST INFANTRY.^ THE SMOKE WAS OBSERVED AND THE LANDING PATTERN ESTABLISHED. THERE WAS NO PATHFINDER ELEMENT OPERATING AT EAGLE'S NEST, THERE WAS NO GROUND GUIDE AVAILABLE. THIS WAS THE FIFTH LANDING AT EAGLE'S NEST THAT DAY FOR THE PILOT. THE LANDING DIRECTION HAD REMAINED THE SAME ALL DAY, LANDING TO THE SSW. THE AIRCRAFT TERMINATED THE APPROACH AT A HOVER. AT THIS TIME THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND EXPERIENCED IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ANTITORQUE CONTROL. THE PILOT ESTIMATES HE WAS AT A FOUR TO FIVE FOOT HOVER WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE AIRCRAFT STARTED A TURN TO THE LEFT AND COMPLETED A 180 DEGREE TURN TO THE LEFT BEFORE BEING LANDED. THE PILOT DID NOT "CUT" THE THROTTLE, BUT IMMEDIATELY REDUCED COLLECTIVE PITCH TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT. WITH THE AIRCRAFT TURNING TO THE LEFT, IT ASSUMED A LEFT BANK ATTITUDE. WITH THE REDUCTION OF COLLECTIVE, THE LEFT SKID HIT THE GROUND FIRST, THEN THE RIGHT SKID. THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION AND SKIDDED TO THE RIGHT APPROXIMATELY TWO TO THREE FEET. THE AIRCRAFT WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN, ALL SYSTEMS INDICATING NORMAL, AND NO DIFFICULTIES WERE EXPERIENCED DURING THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. THE LOSS OF ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL WAS CAUSED BY A PONCHO LINER BEING BLOWN INTO THE AIR, THEN BEING PULLED INTO THE TAIL ROTOR SYSTEM BY THE ROTOR WASH OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES. THE PONCHO LINER WAS BLOWN INTO THE AIR FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMPLETING THE APPROACH. THE PONCHO LINER WAS CAUGHT UP IN THE ROTOR WASH AND BLOWN INTO THE TAIL ROTOR ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE AIRCRAFT. AS A RESULT OF THE SUDDEN STOPPAGE OF THE TAIL ROTOR, THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFT RUPTURED. THE RUPTURE OCCURRED IN THE SHAFT DIRECTLY BENEATH THE ENGINE. DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT WAS THE RESULT OF THE LANDING. THE AIRFRAME WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED DUE TO THE CROSS TUBES BEING DRIVEN UP INTO THE "HARD POINTS" OF THE AIRFRAME. THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM^5TH TRANSPORTATION BATTALION (AM&S)^STATED THE AIRCRAFT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED IN THE EXISTING MAINTENANCE FACILITIES IN VIETNAM. THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE LANDING WAS THE RESULT OF THE PILOT'S REACTION TO GET THE AIRCRAFT ON THE GROUND. WITH THE AIRCRAFT TURNING TO THE LEFT AFTER LOSS OF ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL. HAD A NORMAL HOVERING AUTOROTATION BEEN ATTEMPTED, THE RATE OF TURN TO THE LEFT WOULD HAVE INCREASED. TO STOP THE LEFT TURN WITHOUT ANTI-TORQUE CONTROL, WOULD HAVE REQUIRED AN INCREASE IN COLLECTIVE PITCH. IF THIS HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED, THE AIRCRAFT WOULD HAVE GAINED ALTITUDE. CONSIDERING THE SIZE AND LOCATION OF THE LANDING ZONE, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS.\\
The following is Goldbook
information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 67-17658
It is provided here as an ESTIMATE of the history of this helicopter
and is not intended to be the final authority.
This helicopter was purchased by the US Army in 0768.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY 6807 0 0 W0Y6AA OS TO CONUS ITR CONUS AVCOMITR 6808 11 11 2436 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 6809 0 11 2436 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 6810 47 58 2436 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 6811 25 83 2436 POST SUPPLY 6TH ARMY FORT ORD 6TH ARMY 6812 0 83 2436 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 6901 0 83 2436 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 6902 0 83 2436 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 6903 9 92 WFJ4B0 COB 158BN 101AC VIETNAM RVN 6904 93 185 WFJ4B0 COB 158BN 101AC VIETNAM RVN 6905 120 305 WFJ4B0 COB 158BN 101AC VIETNAM RVN 6906 120 425 WE4HAA 142 TC DS VIETNAM RVN 6907 0 425 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN STORAGE NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6908 0 425 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 6909 0 425 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 6910 0 425 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 6911 0 425 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 6912 0 425 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 7001 0 431 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 7002 0 432 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 7003 17 449 W0UX4B OFC DIR CON SUP 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7004 21 470 WG08AA 8THSQ 1ST AIRCV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7005 17 487 WG08AA 8THSQ 1ST AIRCV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7006 12 499 WG08AA 8THSQ 1ST AIRCV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7007 27 526 WG08AA 8THSQ 1ST AIRCV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7008 20 546 WG08AA 8THSQ 1ST AIRCV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7009 62 608 WG08AA 8THSQ 1ST AIRCV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7010 82 690 WG08AA 8THSQ 1ST AIRCV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7011 38 728 WG08AA 8THSQ 1ST AIRCV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7012 17 745 WG08AA 8THSQ 1ST AIRCV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7101 11 756 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7102 7 763 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7103 21 784 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7104 21 805 WG08AA USAARMC 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7105 46 851 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7106 33 884 WG08AA USAARMC 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7107 0 884 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7108 17 901 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7109 44 945 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7110 18 963 WG08AA 155TH AVN CO 6TH ARMY FT ORD 6TH ARMY 7111 0 963 WG08AA 155TH AVN CO 6TH ARMY FT ORD 6TH ARMY 7112 17 980 WG08AA 155TH AVN CO 6TH ARMY FT ORD 6TH ARMY 7201 4 984 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7202 15 999 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7203 21 1020 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7204 64 1084 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7205 45 1129 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7206 22 1151 WG08AA 8TH SQ AIR CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7207 0 1151 WG08AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV IST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7208 0 1151 WGZ6AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV IST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7209 0 1151 WGZ6AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV IST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7210 27 1178 WGZ6AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV IST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7211 6 1184 WGZ6AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV IST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7212 24 1208 WGZ6AA C TRP 7/1 CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7301 29 1237 WGZ6AA C TRP 7/1 CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7302 20 1257 WGZ6B0 7TH SQDN 1/CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7303 17 1274 WGZ6AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7304 46 1320 WGZ6AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7305 32 1352 WGZ6AA SUPPLY DIV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7306 16 1368 WGZ6AA SUPPLY DIV 1ST ARMY FORT KNOX 1ST ARMY 7307 35 1403 WGZ6AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX FORSCOM 7308 17 1420 WGZ6AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX FORSCOM 7309 9 1429 WGZ6AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX FORSCOM 7310 15 1444 WGZ6AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX FORSCOM 7311 41 1485 WGZ6AA 7TH SQ 1ST CAV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX FORSCOM 7312 2 1487 WGZ6B0 7/1 CAV B TRP 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX FORSCOM 7401 0 1487 WGZ6B0 7/1 CAV B TRP 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX FORSCOM 7402 7 1494 WGZ6B0 7/1 CAV B TRP 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX FORSCOM 7403 13 1507 WGZ6B0 ARADMAC AWTG DISP NAVAL AIR STN AVSCOM 7404 26 1533 WGZ6B0 7/1 CAV B TRP 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX FORSCOM 7405 6 1539 WGZ6B0 7/1 CAV B TRP 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX FORSCOM 7409 1 1600 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7410 1 1601 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7411 0 1601 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7412 0 1601 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7501 0 1601 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7502 0 1601 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7503 0 1601 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7504 0 1601 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7505 0 1601 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7506 0 1601 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7507 0 1601 W0UX4B 235TH ASL HELCO 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX FORSCOM 7509 1 1602 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7510 0 1602 W0UX4B SUPPLY DIV 5TH ARMY FORT KNOX TRADOC 7511 0 1602 W0MUAA DIR OF SUPPLY IN MAINT CORPUS CH AD AVSCOM 7512 0 1602 W0MUAA DIR OF SUPPLY IN STORAGE CORPUS CH AD AVSCOM
Please send additions or corrections to:
Gary Roush
43 Overbrook Road
Painted Post, NY 14870
Printed from databases on: 05/21/2000
Return to Main Index
Copyright © 1998 and 1999 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association