Accident Summary:
AIRCRAFT DEPARTED TAN AN, REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM, AT APPROXIMATELY 1235 HOURS ON 21 AUGUST 1970, IN RESPONSE TO A PRIORITY DUSTOFF REQUEST FROM A UNIT LOCATED AT ^COORDINATES XS 135576^. UPON REACHING THE INTENDED PATIENT PICK-UP SITE, THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER ELECTED TO MAKE A NORMAL TRAFFIC PATTERN AND APPROACH IN ORDER TO UTILIZE THE PREVAILING WINDS. ON SHORT FINAL TO THE PICK-UP SITE, ALL FIVE CREW MEMBERS HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSIVE TYPE OF NOISE AND THE CREW CHIEF SAW SHAT APPERAED TO HIM TO BE THE NINETY (90) DEGREE GEARBOX PASS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE AIRCRAFT FROM THE SIX (6) O'CLOCK TO FOUR (4) O'CLOCK POSITION BEFORE HE LOST SIGHT OF IT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE NOISE WAS HEARD, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT. AT THIS TIME, IT WAS APPROXIMATELY FORTY (40) TO FIFTY (50) FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WITH AN ESTIMATED AIRSPEED OF FORTH (40) KNOTS.. (ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED ARE ESTIMATES BY THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER). THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER REDUCED THROTTLE IN ORDER TO REGAIN CONTROL AND STOP THE SPINNING. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO SPIN TWO (2) OR THREE (3) ADDITIONAL TIMES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME LOSING ALTITUDE. IT IMPACTED THE GROUND AGAINST A RICE PADDY DIKE, WITH THE TAIL SECTION STRIKING FIRST. THIS TAIL SECTION IMPACT PITCHED THE AIRCRAFT FORWARD AND TO THE LEFT. THE SHIP CAME TO REST ON ITS LEFT SIDE AGAINST THE DIKE. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER SHUT OFF MAIN FUEL AND BATTERY SWITHCES, AND THE CREW EXITED THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT COMMANDER STATED IN THE INTERVIEW THAT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN FOR FIFTEEN (15) TO TWENTY (20) MINUTES AFTER SWITCHES WERE TURNED OFF.\\
War Story:
Although this helicopter was written off as the result of
this incident, it was later rebuilt and returned to service
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 69-15431
Date:
740802
South Vietnam
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the
incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss
database. Also: VNAF (South Vietnamese Air Force. )
Loss to Inventory
The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number
69-15431
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 0670.
Please provide any additional information on this
helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY 7006 8 8 WBMZAA 45 MED CO VIETNAM RVN 7007 135 143 WBMZAA 45 MED CO VIETNAM RVN 7008 72 215 WBMZAA 45 MED CO VIETNAM RVN 7009 72 287 WFQ8AA 165 TC DS 34 GP VIETNAM RVN 7010 0 287 W0Y6AA USA FLT OPN OFC 5TH ARMY ST LOUIS AMC 7011 0 287 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 7012 0 287 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 7101 0 287 NAT&GUARD NAT GDZI 7102 0 287 NAT&GUARD NAT GDZI 7103 0 287 WC5GAA 610 TC DS VIETNAM RVN 7104 35 322 WC5GAA 174 ASHC VIETNAM RVN 7105 140 462 WC08AA 135 AHC VIETNAM RVN 7106 84 546 WC08AA 135 AHC VIETNAM RVN 7107 82 628 WC08AA 135 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 7108 41 669 WC08AA 135 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 7109 89 758 WC08AA 135 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 7110 94 852 WC08AA 135 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 7111 44 896 WC08AA 135 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 7112 46 942 WC08AA 135 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 7201 21 963 WC5DAA 605 TC DS VIETNAM RVN 7202 21 984 WC5DAA 605 TC DS VIETNAM RVN
Please send additions or corrections to:
VHPA Head Quarters or Gary Roush or Mike Law
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