Historical Data Display for Aircraft 67-17413

Model: UH-1H
Date Purchased: Apr 1968
Service with Rattlers & Firebirds: From Jun 1968 To Aug 1970
Flight Hours: Beginning 2 / Ending 3,003 -> Hours Flown: 3,001

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 05 May 1969
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,403
Accident case number: 690505381
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 1
costing 17417
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 JACKSON HA
P W1 WATERBURY JA
CE UNK MENGE JD
G UNK COCKFIELD HC

Passengers:
E8 MG BISHOB, PAX, G;


Accident Summary:

Aircraft, UH-1H SN 67-17413, and crew were assigned to the mission of command and control for the 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry. Prior to the accident the aircraft and crew had flown over 10 hours for the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. During this 10 hour period numerous missions of extreme emergency had been conducted by the command and control aircraft. Mr. Jackson and crew were giving assistance to a med evac aircraft when the 20 min fuel warning light came on with 300 lbs of fuel indicated on the fuel pressure gauge. After being assured that the med evac aircraft had completed the dust-off, Mr. Jackson broke station with approximately 200 lbs of fuel indicated. The aircraft was flown to LZ Professional in order to drop off the executive officer, Major Remner, for the 1/46. Mr. Jackson expeditiously started inbound for Hill 29 in order to refuel. It can be approximated that the aircraft had already flown over 10 min since the 20 min fuel warning light came on. It is approximately 15 nautical miles to Hill 29 from LZ Professional. The aircraft commander flew the aircraft at 6200 rpm and 99 knots in order to keep his fuel consumption at a minimum. About 2 miles out from Hill 29 the engine apparently stopped running momentarily. The first indication that the aircraft commander noted was that the left boost pump warning light came on. Shortly thereafter the engine quit. There was a successful autorotation to the rice fields performed. The aircraft commander managed to get off one may day call but he was not sure if the call was successful or not. Noticing that the engine was still running, the aircraft commander decided to try to make it to Hill 29. After climbing to approximately 200 feet and 70 knots, the engine quit due to lack of fuel. Once again a successful autorotation was performed. Subsequent damage occurred during landing. The aircraft was maneuvered to avoid striking a rice paddy dike with the skids. In doing so, the tail boom struck the dike causing a sudden stoppage of the tail rotor. The aircraft landed in an upright position and there was a 4 to 5 foot ground run at the time of impact. The normal procedures as far as mayday calls, evacuation, and aircraft security were employed. After negative radio contact and about 15 minutes at the crash scene, the aircraft commander had made the decision that he and one of the passengers, a master sergeant, would try to reach Hill 29, about one mile away, on foot. About the same time another aircraft from the same unit spotted the downed aircraft's distress smoke and immediately came in to make the rescue. The aircraft was secured for the remainder of the night by troops stationed at Hill 29. They used track vehicles to reach the downed aircraft and remained at the location until the aircraft was recovered the following morning.

Date: 07 May 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,711
Accident case number: 700507061
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 1459
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W2 DOUGHTY SW

Accident Summary:

Dur t/flt pwr check conducted 3000 ft eng quit ac entered auto lnd icdt dmg \ turbine failed

Date: 29 Jun 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 2,844
Accident case number: 700629281 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in
Number killed in accident = 1 . . Injured = 1 . . Passengers = 3
costing 10248
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W2 MCMAHON KR
P W1 IRBY WL
CE E4 GLASCO JR
G E4 DICE DB

Passengers:
GM MECHANIC, GM, G; X2 UNKNOWN, OGY, D; X2 UNKNOWN, OGY, A;


Accident Summary:

On the morning of 29 June 1970 at approximately 0830 hours, aircraft 413 departed Chu Lai enroute to Duc Lai enroute to Duc Pho for a combat assault with the 174th Assault Helicopter Company. After receiving a mission briefing, they departed Duc Pho in a formation flight and flew to the PZ which was LZ Dragon. After picking up eight (8) ARVN troops and reaching the intended LZ, the flight broke down into flights of two. aircraft 413 flew in the Bravo Flight trail position. He and his lead aircraft made their approach into the LZ and terminated at a hover. As WO McMahon hovered in the LZ, the gunner and crew chief continually checked the tail rotor for obstacle clearence. (see tab d) After the eight ARVN troops had jumped from the aircraft, 413 hovered in the LZ waiting for Bravo lead to take off. Suddenly a loud noise was heard from the rear of the aircraft and they immediately began a spin to the right. After spinning 90 degrees, WO McMahon rolled off the throttle and the aircraft continued to spin for another 270 degrees before settling to the ground. As the aircraft settled to the ground, the right skid struck one of the ARVN soldiers and he was fatally injured. (see tab d) WO McMahon completed emergency shut down procedures and exited the aircraft. The aircraft landed upright with negative damage to the skids or fuselage.

Aircraft Assignment History