Helicopter UH-1H 68-16385

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 68-16385
The Army purchased this helicopter 1069
Total flight hours at this point: 00000228
Date: 02/11/1970
Accident case number: 700211261
Unit: D/1/1 CAV
The station for this helicopter was Pleiku in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 24166
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 ALLEN JE
P O3 HAWKINS DR
CE E4 SPIKES GW
G E1 MORRIS WT

Accident Summary:

AT APPROXIMATELY 1300 HOURS ON THE 11TH OF FEBRUARY 1970, A UH-1H, SN 68-16385, AND BELONGING TO D TROOP 1/1 CAV, 123 AVIATION BATTALION, WAS REFUELING AT CHU LAI EAST FOL. THE TWO AVIATORS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT HEARD A CALL ON THEIR RADIO THAT ONE OF THEIR AIRCRAFT HAD GONE DOWN ON THE BEACH OPPOSITE CHU LAI EAST AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT OF 68-16385 TOOK OFF TO FLY TO THE ACCIDENT SCENE, WHICH WAS CLOSE BY, TO RENDER HELP. AS HE TURNED ON TO DOWNWIND OF THE CHU LAI EAST TRAFFIC PATTERN THE DOWNED AIRCRAFT WAS NOTICED IN THE WATER JUST OFF THE BEACH. AN APPROACH WAS MADE TO THE BEACH CROSSWIND. UPON TERMINATION AT A HOVER, THE PILOTS FOOT SLIPPED FROM THE LEFT ANTI-TORQUE PEDAL DOWNWARD. THE PILOT APPLIED AFT CYCLIC WHICH RESULTED IN THE TAILROTOR STRIKING THE SAND. THE SUDDEN STOPPAGE OF THE TAILROTOR AND THE TORQUE APPLIED THROUGH THE TAIL ROTOR DRIVE SHAFTING SEVERED THE SHAFTING AND CAUSED THE 90 DEGREE GEARBOX AND TAIL ROTOR TO LEAVE THE AIRCRAFT. THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT SUFFERED A MODERATELY HARD LANDING RESULTING IN THE SKIDS SPREADING. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A REST THE CREW EXITED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED TO E COMPANY 723RD MAINTENANCE BATTALION.\\

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 68-16385
The Army purchased this helicopter 1069
Total flight hours at this point: 00000228
Date: 03/06/1970
Unit: D/1/1 CAV
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was REPAIRED IN THEATER
This was a Rescue and Recovery mission for Medical Evacuation
While in PickUp Zone this helicopter was at Hover at 0080 feet and 000 knots.
South Vietnam
Helicopter took 2 hits from:
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive charges. (RPG)
The helicopter was hit in the Main Rotor Blade System
Systems damaged were: MAIN ROTOR SYS, TRANSMISSION, ENGINE
Casualties = 01 WIA, 02 INJ . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft is later recovered by any means other than its own power.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: LNNF, CRAFX, JSIDR (Lindenmuth New Format Data Base. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. Crash Facts Message. )

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 68-16385
The Army purchased this helicopter 1069
Total flight hours at this point: 00000462
Date: 06/26/1970
Unit: D/1/1 CAV
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
for Air/land Assault , Hot Area.
While on Landing Zone this helicopter was Landing at 0020 feet and 000 knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: AT869009
Count of hits was not possible because the helicopter burned or exploded.
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive charges. (RPG, 7.62MM)
causing Fragmentation Damage.
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 12 INJ . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Additional crash damage
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: OPERA, LNNF, FM385, CRAFX, JSIDR (Operations Report. Lindenmuth New Format Data Base. Joint Services Incident Damage Report. Crash Facts Message. )
Loss to Inventory

The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 68-16385
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 1069.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
196910   0    0 W0Y6AA OS TO CONUS      ITR CONUS                   AVCOMITR
196911  18   18 WACYAA D TRP 1ACD 1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN     
196912  91  109 WACYAA D TRP 1ACD 1CAV  VIETNAM                     RVN     
197001  94  203 WACYD0 D 111 CV AMD     VIETNAM                     RVN     
197002  25  228 WACYD0 D 111 CV AMD     VIETNAM                     RVN     
197003   0  228 WACYD0 D 1-1 CAV AMD    VIETNAM                     RVN     
197004  67  295 WACYD0 D 1-1 CAV AMD    VIETNAM                     RVN     
197005  87  382 WACYD0 D 1-1 CAV AMD    VIETNAM                     RVN     
197006  80  462 WE4HAA 142 TC DS        VIETNAM                     RVN

Please send additions or corrections to:

Gary Roush

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Printed from databases on: 05/31/2005

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