Helicopter UH-1D 66-16656

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16656
The Army purchased this helicopter 0767
Total flight hours at this point: 00001436
Date: 09/20/1968
Accident case number: 680920281 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 335 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Tuy Hoa in South Vietnam
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 228554
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Army Aviation Safety Center database. Also: OPERA (Operations Report. )
Loss to Inventory

Crew Members:
AC W1 SHEEHAN EM
P W1 MCWHORTER JM

Accident Summary:

The aircraft departed the PZ at approximately 1250 hours. The crew states that the fuel load at the time was approximately 1200 pounds. In addition there were eight “mile” force passengers with full field gear. A hover check was performed in the PZ prior to take off in which 40 pounds of torque were required to hover. After reaching the general location of the LZ, 656 was the fourth ship to enter. On final approach to the LZ, the aircraft had approximately 900 pounds of fuel on board. At approximately 200 feet out of the LZ on Long final, the aircraft commander WO Sheehan felt the aircraft running out of left pedal due to slow airspeed because the third aircraft had not departed the LZ. At this time a go around was initiated. While on the go around, the number 3 aircraft departed the LZ, and the number 5 aircraft went in giving the 4th aircraft, commanded by WO Sheehan plenty of time to set up a new approach. On the second approach to the LZ, the aircraft was brought to a 4 foot hover. Because the landing was shot short, the crew chief told WO Sheehan to move forward before setting down. While attempting to hover the aircraft forward, the aircraft commander began to run out of left pedal. As a result of the loss of pedal control, the aircraft commander attempted a right bank to roll off the side of the LZ in an effort to gain airspeed and pedal control. In his attempt to roll right, more power was pulled which increased the spin to the right. On the first spin the main rotor blade struck the ground causing the aircraft commander to lose control of the aircraft. The aircraft began to shake violently and made one more 360 degree turn to the right before coming to rest in the LZ. As soon as the aircraft came to a halt, all the passengers and crew exited in an orderly manner with no injuries. The pilot, WO McWhorter was the last member to leave the aircraft. He remained to shut off the battery and fuel; he then departed safely. Investigation of the tail rotor system, which was intact after the accident, revealed no mechanical failure

This record was last updated on 04/29/1997

The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 66-16656
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 0767.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6707   0    0 W0Y6AA INTRANSIT        IN TRANSIT                  AVCOMCTR
6708   0    0 3300   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM    
6709  89   89 WGPQAA 335 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN     
6710 119  208 WGPQAA 335 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN     
6711 134  342 WGPQAA 335 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN     
6712 135  477 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6801 125  602 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6802 114  716 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6803  85  801 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6804  99  900 WCLQAA 335 TRANS CO     VIETNAM                     RVN     
6805 122 1022 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6806 107 1129 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6807 108 1237 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6808 103 1340 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6809  96 1436 3364   HHD 44 ENG GP    THAILAND                    PACIFIC

Please send additions or corrections to:

Gary Roush
43 Overbrook Road
Painted Post, NY 14870

Send comments and questions to the VHPA at ( [email protected] )

Printed from databases on: 06/10/2000

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