Helicopter UH-1D 66-16502

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16502
The Army purchased this helicopter 0667
Total flight hours at this point: 00000838
Date: 07/09/1968
Unit: 92 AHC
South Vietnam
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory


Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 66-16502
Date: 07/09/1968
Accident case number: 680709181
Unit: 92 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Cam Ranh Bay in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 1 . . Passengers = 1
costing 86072
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.

Crew Members:
AC W1 CUMMINGS BJ
P W1 MULLINS EP

Passengers:
 E6 WS BAREFOOT, PAX, D;


Accident Summary:

Aircraft 502 departed Bao Loc at approximately 1630 hours in the afternoon of 9 Jul 68 for LZ Washington, a forward resupply point which is located 26 miles SE of Bao Loc, RVN, on a resupply run for Delta Company located near LZ Washington. Five flights were to LZ Washington. After the fifth supply run the aricraft commander found that it was impossible to land due to low clouds and ground fog. Making contact with LZ Washington and informing them that another re-supply run was impossible, they were instructed to go to LZ Adams located west of LZ Washington where they were to pick up a passenger and return to Bao Loc. Proceeding directly to the location given them, they found a support base and landed. After landing, they were told by troops on the ground that this LZ Jefferson and that LZ Adams was one mile northeast of there. Taking off from LZ Jefferson the pilot made contact with LZ Adams and asked for smoke telling them he was one mile out of their location. Coming upon LZ Adams the aircraft commander saw white smoke and initated a steep approach. The approach was made on a heading of 270 deg, the direction from which the wind was coming. The speed of the aircraft was in excess of that of a steep approach forcing the pilot to overshoot the intended landing area. Seeing that he was not going to land near the smoke the aircraft commander decided to terminate at a hover before landing. The aircraft did terminate at a hover approximately 86 feet beyond the smoke. Coming to a stable hover, clearance to the right and left rear was given by the crew chief and gunner to set the aircraft down. As the aircraft started descending to the ground, the gunner saw three engineer stakes just inches to the left of the tail rotor. He yelled to the aircraft commander "not clear", at which time the aircraft commander initiated action to raise the helicopter above the obstacles. Doing so the tail of the aricraft moved slightly to the left making contact with the stakes. The nose of the aircraft yawed to the right as the tail spun left making contact with the ground at the left skid, thus rolling the aircraft onto its left side. The aircraft was immediately shut down

This record was last updated on 04/16/1997


The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 66-16502
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 0667.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6706  13   13 WQ4VAA 92 AVN CO        5TH ARMY   FORT CARSON      5TH ARMY      
6707  29   42 WQ4VAA 92 AVN CO        5TH ARMY   FORT CARSON      5TH ARMY      
6708   7   49 WQ4VAA 92 AVN CO        5TH ARMY   FORT CARSON      5TH ARMY      
6709  23   72 WQ4VAA 92 AVN CO        5TH ARMY   FORT CARSON      5TH ARMY      
6710   0   72 WQ4VAA 92 AVN CO        5TH ARMY   FORT CARSON      5TH ARMY      
6711   8   80 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6712  57  137 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6801 124  261 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6802 122  383 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6803 117  500 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6804 107  607 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6805  98  705 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO   VIETNAM                     RVN     
6806 133  838 WAX6AA 92 ASLT HEL CO   VIETNAM                     RVN     


Please send additions or corrections to:

Gary Roush
43 Overbrook Road
Painted Post, NY 14870


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Printed from databases on: 07/04/2000

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