Helicopter UH-1H 66-16310

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 66-16310
The Army purchased this helicopter 0467
Total flight hours at this point: 00000220
Date: 01/13/68
Accident case number: 680113031
Unit: 61 AHC
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 2936
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
P O2 HUTCHISON RC

Accident Summary:

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


Printed from databases on: 08/27/00

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