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Helicopter UH-1H 68-16356
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 68-16356
The Army purchased this helicopter 1069
Total flight hours at this point: 00000698
Date: 06/10/1970
Accident case number: 700610331
Unit: 134th AHC
The station for this helicopter was Phu Hiep in RVN
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 0
costing 144164
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.
Crew Members:
P O3 Holmes MW
CP W1 Rainwater JW
CE E4 Turner WR
G E4 Williams T
Accident Summary:
On 10 June 70 Cpt Holmes and WO1 Rainwater departed Phu Hiep to work resupply missions for capitol ROK division through the 129th AVN Co (AH) operations. during the morning hours they completed seven sorties of local resupply to surrounding Korean outposts. The aircraft showed no indication of malfunction. After lunch they flew three completed sorties and had loaded up for the fourth one. WO1 Rainwater was at the controls and made the required pre-takeoff hover check. Finding all instruments to be in the green, he made his takeoff into a quartering head wind from the left. Winds were given to the pilot as 040/11 from Lane AHP. Due to recon PAAD location and surrounding obstacles a heading of 040 to 070 was appropriate for takeoff. a smooth takeoff was accomplished clearing all barriers easily. upon reaching approximately 200' agl wo1 rainwater turned left and headed towards his destination. Almost immediately after completing his turn the engine quit. The aircraft "lurched" in flight, WO1 Rainwater entered autorotation, turned the controls over to Cpt Holmes, switched UHF to guard and attempted to check engine and transmission instruments. All engine and transmission instruments were in the green. The fire detection light, RPM warning light and master caution light was on. Due to low airspeed and altitude Cpt Holmes had virtually no variables to work with. He chose an area immediately to his front and flared to compensate for his quartering tail wind. He applied collective and landed hard causing the main rotor to flex and both blades to strike the tail boom just in front of the 42 gear box. The ship bounced about six feet and turned approximately 15 to 20 to the left. The fire light was still on at impact and the crew immediately helped the pilots out of the aircraft. No fire developed and Cpt Holmes was able to return to the aircraft and notify 129th operations of the accident. There were two Korean passengers aboard with negative injuries to either.\\
The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 68-16356
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.