Historical Data Display for Aircraft 68-16212

Model: UH-1H
Date Purchased: Sep 1969
Service with Rattlers & Firebirds: From Sep 1969 To Jun 1970
Flight Hours: Beginning 0 / Ending 1,020 -> Hours Flown: 1,020

Aircraft Accident/Incident History

Date: 07 Jul 1970
Description:
Total flight hours at this point: 1,056
Accident case number: 700707241 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 71 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Chu Lai in South Vietnam
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 244345
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 W2 MCCARRAGHER JC
P O2 RASCH RN
CE E4 GLASCO JR
G E4 DICE DD

Accident Summary:

At 0730 hours on 7 july 70, UH-1H, 68-16212 departed the 71st Aviation Company for a command and control and resupply mission in support of MACV personnel at Tam Ky. After a total flight time of approximately 04:45, The engine chip detector light illuminated while in flight. The aircraft commander made a precautionary landing at the nearest secure lz and examined the magnetic engine chip detector plug. Only small metal fuzz was found and the plug was cleaned and reinstalled. The aircraft was started and since the chip detector light did not come on, the aircraft commander decided to fly the aircraft back to the 71st AHC for a maintenance check. He proceeded to Tam Ky, where he shut down, and advised his mission controllers that he would have to return to Chu Lai and would not be able to complete the allotted number of hours for his mission. He was released from the mission and started the aircraft to return to Chu Lai. Again the chip detector light did not come on and the aircraft commander took off to the west, turned left, and climbed out to the southeast towards Chu Lai. (see diagram tab 9) at 300 feet agl, 60 knots, 98% N1 and 40 pounds of torque pressure there was a loud bang heard from the engine compartment. The engine failed with an immediate total power loss. Due to buildings, trees, and some wet rice paddies the aircraft commander decided to make a 180 degree autorotation from 300 feet and land in a dry rice paddy. Directional pedal control was lost during termination of the autorotation and the aircraft yawed left before making ground contact. The landing was hard enough to bend the right skid and with enough forward airspeed to roll the aircraft onto its right side. WO McCarragher completed emergency shut down procedures and all crew members exited the aircraft. A small fire in the engine compartment was extinguished by the use of sand. There were no injuries and all flight crew members were wearing nomex flight suits in addition to other required protective gear.

Aircraft Assignment History