Accident Summary:
THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED FROM AN ENGINEER LAND CLEARING OPERATION BASE IN THE VICINITY OF ^YT 1515^ AT APPROXIMATELY ^0745^ ON ^20 MARCH 1969^, TO CONDUCT A VISUAL RECON OF THE AREA SURROUNDING THE BASE. THE AIRCRAFT MADE SEVERAL PASSES OVER THE AREA TO THE WEST OF THE BASE. THE PASSES WERE MADE ON NORTH AND SOUTH HEADINGS AT APPROXIMATELY 350 FEET AGL AT 60 KNOTS INDICATED AIRSPEED. SHORTLY AFTER COMPLETING A 180 DEGREE TURN TO THE SOUTH, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD BY THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER AND A VIBRATION WAS FELT THROUGH THE AIRFRAME. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS, THE AIRCRAFT YAWED TO THE RIGHT APPROXIMATELY 15 DEGREES. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER PUSHED FULL LEFT PEDAL TO TRIM THE AIRCRAFT BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. HE THEN PUSHED RIGHT PEDAL AND THE AIRCRAFT TURNED FURTHER TO THE RIGHT. THE AC, THEN REALIZING THAT HE HAD LOST PEDAL CONTROL AND AIRSPEED, ATTEMPTED TO GAIN AIRSPEED. HE PUSHED THE CYCLIC FORWARD AND INCREASED COLLECTIVE PITCH. THE INCREASED TORQUE CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN SPINNING, THE AC HELD THE CYCLIC IN THE CENTER AND HELD WHAT POWER HE HAD ADDED PRIOR TO THE SPIN. THE AIRCRAFT SPUN APPROXIMATELY SEVEN TIMES PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE TREES. THE ROTOR SYSTEM CONTACTED AND SHEARED OFF A TREE TRUNK OF APPROXIMATELY 18" IN DIAMETER. THIS IMPACT SEPARATED THE ROTOR SYSTEM FROM THE AIRCRAFT AND IT CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 30 METERS TO THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SYNCHRONIZED ELEVATOR ALSO STRUCK A TREE. THE IMPACT OF THESE TWO STRIKES REDUCED THE TURNING MOTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE AIRFRAME CRASHED IN A SLIGHT NOSE LOW, LEFT SIDE LOW ATTITUDE WITH ONLY A SLIGHT SPINNING MOTION COLLAPSING BOTH SKIDS AND BREAKING BOTH CHIN BUBBLES. THE CREW AND PASSENGERS IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND MOVED AWAY UNTIL IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO DANGER OF FIRE.\\
The following is Goldbook
information on US Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16077
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 0267.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY 196702 0 0 W0Y6AA TRAN MDMHELCO S ALASKA ALASKA 196703 0 0 W0MHAA DIROF SUP TRAN 6TH ARMY SHARPE GD AVCOM 196704 0 0 W0MHAA DIROF SUP TRAN 6TH ARMY SHARPE GD AVCOM 196705 34 34 WDG3AA HHC 1 AVN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196706 48 82 WDG3AA HHC 1 AVN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196707 53 135 WDG3AA HHC 1 AVN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196708 0 135 WDG3AA HHC 1 AVN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196709 76 211 WDG3AA HHC 1 AVN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196710 59 270 WDG3AA HHC 1 AVN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196711 0 270 WDG3AA HHC 1 AVN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196712 72 342 WDG3AA HHC 1 AVN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196801 0 342 WDG3AA HHC 1 AVN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196802 49 391 WDG3AA HHC 1 AVN BDE VIETNAM RVN 196803 106 497 3397 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 196804 120 617 3397 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 196805 104 721 3397 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 196806 118 839 3397 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 196807 67 906 3397 OPM SEA NITEOPS 1ST ARMY FORT BELVOIR AMC 196808 119 1025 3397 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 196809 152 1177 3397 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 196810 139 1316 3397 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 196811 103 1419 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196812 104 1523 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196901 105 1628 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196902 99 1727 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196903 0 1727 3397 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC
Please send additions or corrections to:
Gary Roush
43 Overbrook Road
Painted Post, NY 14870
Printed from databases on: 05/14/04
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