While terminating an approach, the aircraft commander heard a loud grinding noise and the aircraft lost power, yawed left, and dropped from 2 feet. Engine failure, cause unknown.
This record was last updated on 01/31/1997
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16143
The Army purchased this helicopter 0367
Total flight hours at this point: 00001214
Date: 04/26/1969
Accident case number: 690426131
Unit: 173 AVN
The station for this helicopter was Di An in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 7
costing 39745
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.
Crew Members:
AC O3 HAAS ME
P O2 WINDLE EL
CE E4 WHITE MJ
G E3 DAVIE JF
Passengers:
UNK UNK, LCO, G;
UNK UNK, PAX, G;
UNK UNK, PAX, G;
UNK UNK, PAX, G;
UNK UNK, PAX, G;
UNK UNK, PAX, G;
UNK UNK, PAX, G;
Accident Summary:
AT 1430 HOURS ON 26 APRIL 1969, THE AIRCRAFT AND CREW WERE ASSIGNED A SINGLE SHIP MISSION TO EXTRACTA SIX MAN LONG RANGE RECONNAISSANCE PATROL FROM A PICKUP ZONE AT COORDINATES XT735567. THE PICKUP ZONE WAS A CONFINED AREA THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 50 METERS LONG AND 30 METERS WIDE. THE LONG AXIS OF THE AREA BEING GENERALLY EAST TO WEST. THE CENTER OFTHE PICKUP ZONE HAD SCATTERED UNDERBRUSH AND TREE STUMPS UP TO THREE FEET THROUGHOUT AND THE AREA WAS SURROUNDED ENTIRELY BY TREES RANGING IN HEIGHT FROM 75-125 FEET. AT APPROXIMATELY 1415 HOURS THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER, ^CPT. HAAS^, FLEW TO THE AREA TO MAKE THE EXTRACTION AND RETURN THE LONG RANGE RECONNAISSANCE PATROL TO LAI KHE, RVN, WHICH WAS THEIR HOME STATION. THE TOTAL TURN AROUND TIME FOR THE MISSION WAS TO BE APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. AFTER ARRIVING ON STATION AT THE PICKUP ZONE THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER MADE AN AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE OF THEAREA AND THEN MADE A 5 FOOT HOVER CHECK. HE HAD A LOAD OF 1100 PUNDS OF FUEL AND SIX U.S. SOLDIERS AND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN 6600 RPM AT A 5 FOOT HOVER. AFTER PERFORMING THE HOVER CHECK HE HOVERED BACKWARDS IN THE PICKUP ZONE (TO THE EAST) SO AS TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE LONG AXIS OF THE AREA. HETHEN ATTEMPTED A NORMAL TAKEOFF TO THE WEST BECAUSE THIS AFFORDED HIM THE CLEAREST TAKEOFF AXIS. AS THE TIP PATH PLANE OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS TILTED FORWARD DURING TAKEOFF TO GAIN FORWARD SPEED AND TRANSLATIONAL LIFT REQUIRED FOR A NORMAL TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF LIFT ON THE ROTOR SYSTEM. TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS LOSSOF LIFT AND TO AVOID STRIKING THE UNDERBRUSH AND STUMPS IN THE AREA, ADDITIONAL COLLECTIVE PITCH WASAPPLIED BY ^CPT HAAS^. THIS SUBSEQUENT INCREASE INPITCH REQUIRED MORE POWER THAN WAS AVAILABLE FOR THE EXISTING LOAD CONDITION AND APPROXIMATELY 600 ENGINE RPM WAS LOST. THIS LOSS OF RPM COMPOUNDED THE PROBLEMS OF MAKING A NORMAL TAKEOFF FROM THE CONFINED AREA. DUE TO THE HEAVY GROSS WEIGHT (APPROXIMATELY 8500 POUNDS) AND THE SHORT DISTANCE TO THE BARRIERS (50 METERS) TRANSLATIONAL LIFT WAS NOT OBTAINED. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER REALIZING THAT HE WAS NOT GOING TO CLEAR THE BARRIERS AND THAT HE WASCOMMITTED TO TAKEOFF BECAUSE OF THE UNDERBRUSH ANDSTUMPS IN THE AREA MADE A LEFT BANKING MANEUVER TOAVOID CONTACT WITH A TREE AT THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE PICKUP ZONE. THIS MANEUVER WAS ONLY PARTIALLY COMPLETED AND THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES OF THE HELICOPTER STRUCK THE TRUNK OF A NINE INCH DIAMETER TREE. THIS TREE STRIKE DESTROYED APPROXIMATELY TWO FEET OFF THE TIPS OF BOTH MAIN ROTOR BLADES. THIS DAMAGE TO THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES CAUSED A PARTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED FORWARD STRIKING TWO ADDITIONAL TREES WITH THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES BEFORE IMPACTING THE GROUND APPROXIMATELY 100 METERS WEST OF THE INITIAL TAKEOFF POINT. UPON CONTACT WITH THE GROUND BOTH SKIDS WERETORN FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE FUSELAGE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN THE GENERAL DIRECTION OF TAKEOFF IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. AFTER IMPACT THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER ATTEMPTED TO SHUT DOWN THE AIRCRAFT BUT ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTY IN THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO ROLL THE THROTTLE PAST THE FLIGHT IDLE DETENT. AT THIS TIME ALL CREWMEMBERS AND PASSENGERS EXITED THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER SET UP A SECURITY PERIMETER IN THE AREA AND THEN RETURNED TO THE AIRCRAFT AND SHUT DOWN THE AIRCRAFT.\\
The following is Goldbook
information on US Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16143
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 0367.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY 196703 0 0 W0Y6AA TRAN MDMHELCO S ALASKA ALASKA 196704 90 90 WARJAA HQ 173AIRBN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196705 0 90 WARJAA HQ 173AIRBN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196706 0 90 WARJAA HQ 173AIRBN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196707 0 90 WARJAA HQ 173AIRBN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196708 0 90 WARJAA HQ 173AIRBN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196709 110 200 WARJAA HQ 173AIRBN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196710 50 250 WARJAA HQ 173AIRBN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196711 125 375 WARJAA HQ 173AIRBN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196712 83 458 WARJAA HQ 173AIRBN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196801 1 459 WARJAA HQ 173AIRBN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196802 68 527 WAX8AA 117 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196803 0 527 WAX8AA 117 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196804 0 527 WAX8AA 117 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196805 48 575 WC5DAA 605 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM RVN 196806 9 584 WC5DAA 605 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM RVN 196807 27 611 WC5DAA 605 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM RVN 196808 22 633 WC5DAA 605 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM RVN 196809 74 707 WC5DAA 605 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM RVN 196810 35 742 WC5DAA 605 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM RVN 196811 31 773 WC5DAA 605 TRANS CO DS VIETNAM RVN 196812 109 882 WC41AA 173 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196901 121 1003 WC41AA 173 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196902 95 1098 WC41AA 173 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196903 0 1098 WC41AA 173 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196904 116 1214 WC41AA 173 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196905 0 1214 WDFHAA HHC 520T BN34GP VIETNAM RVN 196906 0 1214 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN STORAGE NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 196907 0 1214 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN STORAGE NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 196908 0 1214 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 196909 0 1214 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 196910 0 1214 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 196911 0 1214 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 196912 0 1214 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 197001 0 1214 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 197002 0 1214 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 197003 0 1214 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 197004 0 1214 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 197005 0 1214 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197006 0 1214 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197007 0 1214 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197008 0 1214 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197009 0 1214 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197010 4 1218 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197011 6 1224 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY COMZ 197012 18 1242 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY COMZ 197101 11 1253 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197102 20 1273 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197103 45 1318 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197104 6 1324 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197105 27 1351 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197106 76 1427 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197107 26 1453 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197108 39 1492 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197109 36 1528 WAY1AA USA PAD GERMANY EUROPE 197110 24 1552 WAY1AA USA PAD GERMANY EUROPE 197111 20 1572 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197112 20 1592 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197201 14 1606 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197202 18 1624 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197203 22 1646 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197204 41 1687 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197205 28 1715 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197206 20 1735 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197207 31 1766 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197208 14 1780 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197209 37 1817 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197210 17 1834 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197211 7 1841 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197212 4 1845 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197301 3 1848 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197302 13 1861 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197303 35 1896 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197304 25 1921 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197305 26 1947 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197306 2 1949 WAY1AA 22ND AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197307 17 1966 WFKAAA 22ND AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197308 41 2007 WFKAAA 22ND AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197309 39 2046 WFKAAA 22ND AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197310 35 2081 WFKAAA 22ND AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197311 18 2099 WFKAAA 22ND AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197312 17 2116 WFKAAA 22ND AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197401 15 2131 WFKAAA 22ND AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197402 13 2144 WFKAAA 22ND AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197403 13 2157 WFKAAA USA PAD GERMANY EUROPE 197404 32 2189 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197405 15 2204 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197409 38 2333 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197410 4 2337 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197411 20 2357 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197412 25 2382 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197501 13 2395 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197502 8 2403 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197503 2 2405 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197504 11 2416 WAY1AA 56 AVN DET GERMANY EUROPE 197505 20 2436 WAY1AA 56TH AVN CO GERMANY EUROPE 197506 38 2474 WAY1AA 56TH AVN CO GERMANY EUROPE 197507 22 2496 WAY1AA 56TH AVN CO GERMANY EUROPE 197509 9 2517 WAY1AA 56TH AVN CO GERMANY EUROPE 197510 20 2537 WAY1AA 56TH AVN CO GERMANY EUROPE 197511 6 2543 WAY1AA 56TH AVN CO GERMANY EUROPE 197512 8 2551 WAY1AA 56TH AVN CO GERMANY EUROPE
Please send additions or corrections to:
Printed from databases on: 12/28/2016
Return to Main Index
Copyright © 1998 - 2016 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association