One main rotor blade struck by unknown object causing two small puncture holes in bottom of blade
This record was last updated on 01/05/97
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16310
The Army
purchased this helicopter 0467
Total flight hours at this point:
00000742
Date: 08/01/68
Accident case number: 680801211 Total loss or
fatality Accident
Unit: 61 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Qui
Nhon in South Vietnam
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . .
Passengers = 0
costing 228554
Original source(s) and document(s) from
which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency
Helicopter Loss database. Army Aviation Safety Center database. Also: OPERA
(Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory
Crew Members:
AC O2 FELDMAN
GA
P W1 QUIMBY DA
Accident Summary:
The aircraft departed LZ Uplift, located at coordinates BR 9274, at approximately 1430 hours. The crew states that the fuel load at that time was a little over 1000 pounds. In addition, the cargo compartment contained water cans weighing between 900 and 1000 pounds and a Chaplain who weighed 170 pounds. A hover check was performed at ten feet prior to take off during which 40 pounds of torque were pulled. After reaching the general location of the LZ, the aircraft commander requested smoke and orbited the LZ, setting up an approach to the northwest which was into the wind. The aircraft commander was forced to make a go around because of 75 foot to 100 foot trees on the approach end of the LZ. LT Feldman then set up an approach to the southwest giving him a crosswind. This approach brought the aircraft into the LZ toward the downhill side of the mountain, and eliminated the high tree barrier. The approach was planned to be terminated to a hover over a log platform which was built near the center of the LZ. On short final to the LZ, the RPM warning light came on because of loss of RPM. The aircraft commander pulled in more torque in an apparent effort to keep from falling through. WO Quimby was monitoring the instruments, and called out the readings to LT Feldman. The torque meter continued to rise and at its peak reached 55 pounds. At this point the RPM bled off as low as 6000 at full beep. Full left pedal was applied at the bottom of the approach and the aircraft began turning to the right rapidly and the tail rotor struck a tree, knocking the tail rotor off. The aircraft commander states that the wind had changed to a quartering tail wind near the end of the approach. After the impact of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of it, the aircraft made a 360 degree turn and crashed into the ground, coming to rest partially on its right side. The Chaplain was thrown out of the aircraft along with some water cans on impact. The crew chief and gunner exited by normal means and the aircraft commander and the pilot exited through the broken left windshield. It should be noted here the passengers had no restraining device and the water cans were not tied down
This record was last updated on 04/17/97
The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1D tail number
66-16310
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 0467.
Please provide any additional information on this
helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY 6704 2 2 WQ1CAA GEN SUPPLY DIV 4THARMY RED RIVER AD AVCOM 6705 0 2 9221 ARMY AVN DIV 6TH ARMY DUGWAY PG TEVALCOM 6706 0 2 9221 USARV FLT DET VIETNAM RVN 6707 23 25 1776 USARV FLT DET VIETNAM RVN 6708 39 64 1776 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 6709 2 66 1776 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 6710 0 66 1776 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 6711 0 66 3300 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 6712 56 122 WAYPAA 61 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6801 98 220 WAYPAA 61 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6802 111 331 WAYPAA 61 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6803 37 368 WAYPAA 61 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6804 96 464 WAYPAA 61 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6805 96 560 WAYPAA 61 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6806 89 649 WAYPAA 61 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6807 93 742 WAYPAA 61 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN
Please send additions or corrections to:
VHPA Head Quarters or Gary Roush or Mike Law
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