Accident Summary:
AIRCRAFT WAS ENROUTE FROM PHAN RANG AB TO DONG BA THIN. ABOUT 6 MILES NORTH THE PILOT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE PEDALS AND THE NOSE SWUNG TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO PEDAL MOVEMENT HE ANNOUNCED TAIL ROTOR FAILURE AND THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER TOOK THE CONTROLS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS 1500 FEET IN AN 80 KNOT ATTITUDE AND HEADED INTO AN ESTIMATED 20 KNOT WIND. AS THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER TOOK CONTROL, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE NOSE SWUNG VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER REDUCED COLLECTIVE AND PUT IN A LEFT FORWARD CYCLIC IN AN ATTEMPT TO STREAMLINE THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS HOLDING A NORTHEASTERLY HEADING WITH A GOUND TRACK TO THE NORTH. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER DECIDED TO ATTEMPT TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE ONLY AREA WHICH HE DETERMINED HE COULD MAKE UNDER THE EXISTING CIRCUMSTANCES (I.E.-WIND, TERRAIN, AND THE UNSTABLE CONDITION OF THE AIRCRAFT). AS THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED THE VIBRATION WAS REDUCED AND THE TENDENCY OF THE AIRCRAFT TO SWAP ENDS WAS ABBREVIATED. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER CARRIED HIS POWER ALL THE WAY AND AT ABOUT 500 FEET, TO COMPLETE THE LANDING, HE LOWERED THE COLLECTIVE TO THE BOTTOM. THE AIRCRAFT FLARED AND LEVELED. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER PULLED PITCH WITH ZERO AIRSPEED AND ZERO RATE OF DESCENT. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT SWUNG TO THE RIGHT, AND THE SKIDS DUG INTO THE SOFT GROUND OF THE LANDING AREA (WHICH WAS A RICE PADDY). THE AIRCRAFT THEN ROLLED ON ITS LEFT SIDE, THE MAJOR DAMAGE OCCURRING WHEN THE BLADES CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN ABOUT 6 TO 8 INCHES OF WATER. THE PILOT THEN SHUT OFF THE FUEL AND BATTERY SWITCHES. ALL PERSONS EXITED THE AIRCRAFT SAFELY AND THERE WAS NO POST CRASH FIRE.\\
The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number
68-15363
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 0269.
Please provide any additional information on this
helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY 6902 0 0 3300 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 6903 46 46 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6904 89 135 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6905 90 225 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6906 96 321 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6907 85 406 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6908 144 550 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6909 97 647 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6910 112 759 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 6911 0 759 WCLNAA 79 TRANS CO VIETNAM RVN 6912 0 759 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 7001 0 759 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 7002 0 759 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 7003 0 759 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 7004 0 759 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 7005 0 759 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 7006 0 759 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 7007 0 759 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 7008 0 759 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 7009 0 759 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 7010 0 759 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 7011 4 763 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 7012 0 763 3300 NAT&GUARD NAT GDZI
Please send additions or corrections to:
VHPA Head Quarters or Gary Roush or Mike Law
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