Helicopter UH-1H 68-15309

Accident Summary:

 ON THE MORNING OF 1 MARCH 1970, 12 AIRCRAFT FROM THE 134TH AVIATION COMPANY (ASSAULT HELICOPTER) WERE ATTACHED TO THE 9TH ROK INFANTRY DIVISION (WHITEHORSE). HELICOPTER UH-1H, SN: 68-15309, COMMANDED BY WO1 ROBERTS AND CO-PILOTED BY 1LT TAYLOR, WAS ONE OF THE SUPPORTING AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT MADE THE FIRST PICK UP IN THE PZ AND WENT TO VARIOUS LZ'S IN THE AREA OF OPERATIONS DURING THE MORNING. DURING THIS TIME, WO1 ORBERTS FLEW THE AIRCRAFT TO LZ #28 TWICE. EACH TIME THERE WERE 5 PASSENGERS WITH FIELD GEAR ON BOARD. ON THE TWO OCCASIONS OF LANDING AT LZ #28, WHICH IS 330 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL, THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO LAND. THEREFORE THE TROOPS ON BOARD WERE REQUIRED TO DEBARK THE AIRCRAFT WHILE IT HOVERED NEAR A LARGE ROCK. THE TROOPS WERE ABLE TO JUMP TO THIS ROCK AND SAFELY EXIT THE AIRCRAFT. UPON COMPLETION OF THE MORNING MISSIONS THE AIRCRAFT WAS SHUT DOWN WHILE THE CREW AT LUNCH. DURING THE POST FLIGHT CHECK, THE CO-PILOT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS DOWN ONE QUART. THE RESERVOR HAD BEEN FILLED THAT MORNING. THAT AFTERNOON, THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A SHORT FINAL TO LZ #28, BP 391245, WHEN RPM BEGAN TO DECREASE. THERE WERE 5 ROK ARMY TROOPS ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT AND THEY WOULD NOT EXIT THE AIRCRAFT AT A HOVER. THE PILOT COULD FIND NO LEVEL GROUND ON WHICH TO SET THE AIRCRAFT. WHILE AT A HOVER THE AIRCRAFT RPM BEGAN TO BLEED RAPIDLY. THE PILOT EXECUTED A RIGHT PEDAL TURN TO MAINTAIN RPM AND MAKE A DOWN SLOPE DEPARTURE. A LARGE TREE BLOCKED THE DEPARTURE PATH. THE RPM WAS STILL DECREASING. THE AIRCRAFT SETTLED AND THE PILOT PULLED PITCH TO CUSHION THE LANDING AND SLOW THE ROTOR BLADES BECAUSE OF A POSSIBLE LANDING IN THE TREES. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED IN 10 FEET OF ELEPHANT GRASS AND THE RIGHT SKID STRUCK A LARGE ROCK, ROLLING THE AIRCRAFT ONTO ITS LEFT SIDE. THE ENGINE HAD STOPPED RUNNING. THE CREW AND PASSENGERS ESCAPED FROM THE WRECKAGE, WHICH THEN BURST INTO FLAMES, IGNITED BY A BRUSH FIRE NEAR THE LZ.\\

The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 68-15309
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 0169.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST         COUNTRY
6901   0    0 W0Y6AA OS TO CONUS      ITR CONUS                   AVCOMITR
6902  16   16 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
6903 115  131 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
6904 151  282 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
6905 120  402 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
6906 119  521 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
6907 122  643 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
6908 131  774 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
6909 136  910 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
6910 109 1019 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
6911  92 1111 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
6912 126 1237 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
7001 118 1355 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
7002 101 1456 WC07AA 134 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                          RVN     
7003   0 1456 WCLNAA 79 TRANS CO      VIETNAM                          RVN