Historical Data Display for Aircraft 66-16312

Model: UH-1H
Date Purchased: Apr 1967
Service with Rattlers & Firebirds: From May 1968 To Dec 1970
Flight Hours: Beginning 2 / Ending 3,140 -> Hours Flown: 3,138

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 15 Jun 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,291
Accident case number: 690615101
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 32665
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 BURNS JV
P W1 LANG NE
CE E4 PIEPER CE
G E3 MILLER SG

Accident Summary:

Aircraft refueled at LZ Ross. Fuel gauge read 1100 pounds. Aircraft commander and pilot remember running seven sorties which took an hour and fifteen minutes. One last sortie was run from LZ Center to LZ East. Upon touching down at LZ East the aircraft commander read the fuel gauge and said it was indicating about 350 pounds. The pilot read the fuel gauge and read 220 pounds. The pilot pushed the fuel gauge test switch. The fuel gauge dropped to zero then came back to 220 pounds. The aircraft commander made the takeoff from LZ East and proceeded to fly direct to LZ Ross. Climbout was to 2000 feet indicated and 90 knots indicated. When approaching the ridge line between LZ East and LZ Ross, the aircraft commander pulled in power and climbed to 3000 feet indicated. Still indicating 90 knots. About one mile out of LZ Ross the fuel pressure gauge began to fluctuate and dropped to zero. The engine was still running, so long final approach was continued to LZ Ross at 120 knots. About 300 meters and 200 feet from the point of intended landing, the aircraft commander stated the engine quit. The aircraft commander bottomed the collective, rolling off throttle simultaneously. Both rotor and engine tachometer were observed to go past 6000 RPM. The aircraft commander did not see the needles split. At this point the aircraft commander nosed the aircraft over in an attempt to extend his glide, making constant flaring movements in an attempt to build RPM. After the RPM had dropped to 5500 engine and 235 rotor the aircraft commander became more concerned with his landing. The pilot saw the engine and rotor RPM go down to about 4300 RPM. A flare was made to lift the aircraft over an embankment, the air craft commander pulled up on the collective in an attempt to cushion the landing. Airspeed was about 60 knots at touchdown. Aircraft landed hard, touching the tail stinger first and then the rear portion of the skids. The pilot thought the aircraft was going to flip over forward at one point and both the aircraft commander and the pilot pulled back on the cyclic. The tail came down hard and the main rotor blade struck the tail boom just in front of the 42 degree gear box severing the tail section. The aircraft travelled approximately 153 feet before coming to rest. The aircraft remained in an upright position.

Date: 01 Dec 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,844
Unit: 71 AHC
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was UNK
for Troop Insertation
While on Landing Zone this helicopter was Landing at 0002 feet and 015 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 6 hits from:
Small Arms/Automatic Weapons; Gun launched non-explosive ballistic projectiles less than 20 mm in size. (7.62MM)
The helicopter was hit in the Left Side
Systems damaged were: FUEL SYS
The helicopter Continued Flight.
The aircraft was diverted prior to accomplishing any mission objectives.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: BDART, 00238 (Battle Damage Assessment and Reporting Team Report.)

Aircraft Assignment History