Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 64-13546
The Army purchased this helicopter 0265
Total flight hours at this point: 00003108
Date: 11/12/69
Accident case number: 691112291
Unit: 68 AVN
The station for this helicopter was Bien Hoa in
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 0 . . Passengers = 1
costing 30201
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.
Crew Members:
P W2 WIDMER PC
CP W1 VANDEEST TS
Passengers:
O3 D DUMBGUY, FCO, G;
Accident Summary:
THE AIRCRAFT AND CREW ARE CONDUCTING A COMBAT ASSAULT MISSION WITH 8 OTHER AIRCRAFT. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THEY HAD FLOWN 4 SORTIES. THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION OF ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS DURING THIS TIME. AFTER COMPLETION OF THE FOURTH LIFT, THE ENTIRE FLIGHT RETURNED TO THE PZ AT COORDINATES YT 598 208 TO PICK UP A SECOND LIFT OF TROOPS. CW WIDMER WAS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT. HIS AIRCRAFT WAS CHALK 2 IN A FLIGHT OF FOUR. THE ORIGINAL FLIGHT OF 9 AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN BROKEN DOWN INTO 2 ELEMENTS ALPHA AND BRAVO WITH A TWO MINUTE SEPARATION. CW WIDMER WAS IN THE BRAVO ELEMENT. BRAVO LEAD WAS TOLD TO MAKE A 360 DEGREE TURN TO ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL TIME NEEDED TO LOAD THE TROOPS ON THE ALPHA ELEMENT. AFTER THIS 360 DEGREE TURN, BRAVO LEAD STARTED A FAST, STEEP DESCENDING RIGHT TURN TO GET INTO THE PZ. ON SHORT FINAL, CW WIDMER WAS ABOUT ONE ROTOR DIAMETER BEHIND LEAD IN A TRAIL FORMATION. LEAD CAME IN HIGH AND FAST. CW WIDMER ALLOWED HIS AIRCRAFT TO BECOME LOWER THAN LEAD. AS A RESULT, WHEN LEAD FLARED EXCESSIVELY TO PREVENT HIS RUNNING INTO THE TREE LINE AT HIS FRONT, CW WIDMER WAS FORCED TO ALSO PUT IN A EXCESSIVE FLARE. HIS CLOSENESS TO THE GROUND ALLOWED HIS TAIL ROTOR TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WATER IN THE PZ BELOW HIM. THE TAIL ROTOR BLADES AND 90 DEGREE GEAR TORE OFF IMMEDIATELY IN ONE PIECE. CW WIDMER REALIZED IMMEDIATELY WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND CHOPPED THE THROTTLE AND CORRECTED WITH CYCLIC TO LEVEL THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT PERFORMED A HOVERING AUTOROTATION, LANDING QUITE HARD BUT WITH VERY LITTLE TURN TO EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED FIRST ON THE RIGHT SKID AND THEN THE LEFT, CAUSING STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT LONGERON.\\
Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 64-13546
The Army purchased this helicopter 0265
Total flight hours at this point: 00004020
Date: 01/25/72
Accident case number: 720125081 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 57 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Camp Holloway in South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: AR907808
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 1 . . 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:
P O2 REYNARD MA
CP W1 MANDELL SC
CE E4 SMITH TE
G E4 WOJCIECHOWSKI JP
Accident Summary:
ON 25 JANUARY 1972, AT APPROXIMATELY 1630 AIRCRAFT ^64-13546^, AND THREE OTHER UH-1H HELICOPTERS DEPARTED FOB 11 PAD TO EXTRACT A 52 MAN TEAM FROM A PZ SOUTHEAST OF KONTUM. EACH AIRCRAFT WAS TO FLY TWO SORTIES. THEY WERE DIVIDED UP INTO TWO FLIGHTS OF TWO EACH. THE PZ WAS LARGE ENOUGH TO ACCOMODATE THREE OR FOUR SHIPS IF THE NEED AROSE. THE TREES SURROUNDING THE PZ WERE FROM 25 TO 30 FEET TALL, WITH THE LONG AXIS RUNNING FROM NORTH TO SOUTH. ALL APPROACHES AND DEPARTURES WERE MADE NORTH TO SOUTH WHILE SURFACE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND VISIBLE AT FIVE KNOTS FROM THE EAST. TERRAIN AT THE CRASH SITE WAS LOW GRASS WITH A FEW DEAD TREES LAYING ON THE NORTHERN EDGE, PERMITTING THE AIRCRAFT TO LAND WHILE LOADING TROOPS ABOARD. ON THE FIRST EXTRACTION THE PILOT HAD BEEPED THE ENGINE RPM FROM 6,600 TO 6,400 DURING THE DESCENT TO PRECLUDE ANY ROTOR OVER SPEED. SIX (6) PAX WERE LOADED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS BROUGHT TO A HOVER STABILIZED AT 6,400 RPM. THE PILOT THEN DEPARTED THE PZ ENROUTE TO THE FOB PAD FOR PASSENGER DROP OFF. ON THE SECOND SORTIE THE SAME PROCEDURE WAS FOLLOWED FOR ENTERING THE PZ. THIS TIME EIGHT (8) PAX WERE LOADED ABOARD. THE AIRCRAFT HAD LANDED ABOUT 25 METERS SHORT OF THE TREES ON THE DEPARTURE END. THE PILOT THEN BEEPED THE ENGINE RPM BACK OP TO 6,600 RPM AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS BROUGHT TO ABOUT A FOUR FOOT HOVER WHERE THE RPM STABILIZED AT BETWEEN 6,450 RPM AND 6,500 RPM WITH 40 LBS. OF TORQUE. FUEL ON BOARD AT THE TIME WAS ABOUT 650 LBS. THE PILOT THEN PULLED IN 45 LBS OF TORQUE AND STARTED HIS ASCENT. THE ENGINE RPM HAD THEN STABILIZED AT 6,400 RPM. AT APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 25 FEET WITH APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 KNOTS OF FORWARD AIRSPEED, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO BLEED OFF AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO BACK THE AIRCRAFT BACK INTO THE PZ. ENGINE RPM HAD DROPPED TO APPROXIMATELY 5900 RPM AND A DECREASE IN COLLECTIVE PITCH DID NOT BRING THE RPM BACK TO OPERATING LIMITS. THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO SPIN TO THE RIGHT AS FULL LEFT PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE PILOT NOR COPILOT DIDN'T NOTICE ANY CHANGE IN ENGINE SOUND DURING THIS EMERGENCY. THE PILOT NOTICED A STUMP THAT WOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH THE CHIN BUBBLE AND AFT CYCLE WAS APPLIED TO AVOID IT. WITH THE AIRCRAF TSTILL IN THE RIGHT HAND SPIN THE TAIL ROTOR STRUCK THE TREES AT THE EDGE OF THE PZ WHICH CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO SWING 180 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT VERY RAPIDLY AND THEN THE ROTOR BLADES AND FUSELAGE IMPACTED THE GROUND ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE WHERE IT CAME TO REST. THE PILOT AND CO-PILOT EXITED THROUGH THE FORWARD WINDSHIELD THAT HAD BEEN BROKEN OUT BY THE TEAM LEADER FOR THEIR EXIT. THEY THEN HELPED THE REMAINING TWO CREW MEMBERS AND PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT.\\ HOURS AFTER THE ACCIDENT DUE TO A GROUND FIRE WHICH WAS STARTED BY SMOKE GRENADES USED DURING THE TROOP EXTRACTION. AN ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WAS TRIED BY THE ARVN FORCE IN IN THE PZ, BUT THE FIRE WAS NOT PUT COMPLETELY UNDER CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT WAS TOTALLY BURNED EXCEPT FOR THE LAST THREE-FOURTHS OF THE TAIL BOOM.\\
The following is Goldbook
information on US Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 64-13546
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 0265.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.
DATE FLT HRS UIC UNIT AREA POST COUNTRY 196610 56 1193 WC7ZAA 155 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 196611 54 1247 WC7ZAA 155 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 196612 44 1291 WC7ZAA 155 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 196701 74 1365 WC7ZAA 155 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 196702 0 1365 WC7ZAA 155 AVN CO VIETNAM RVN 196703 0 1365 3364 POST SUPPLY 6TH ARMY FORT ORD 6TH ARMY 196704 86 1451 3364 ARMY AVN DIV 6TH ARMY DUGWAY PG TEVALCOM 196705 2 1453 3364 ARMY AVN DIV 6TH ARMY DUGWAY PG TEVALCOM 196706 43 1496 3364 USARV FLT DET VIETNAM RVN 196707 0 1496 3364 USARV FLT DET VIETNAM RVN 196708 13 1509 WDUTAA 187 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196709 144 1653 WDUTAA 187 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196710 162 1815 WDUTAA 187 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196711 85 1900 WDUTAA 187 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196712 79 1979 WDUTAA 187 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196801 118 2097 WDUTAA 187 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196802 0 2097 WDUTAA 187 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196803 0 2097 W0Y6AA OS TO CONUS ITR CONUS AVCOMITR 196804 0 2097 8005 BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 196805 0 2097 8005 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 196806 0 2097 8005 355 AVN CO 4TH ARMY FORT SILL 4TH ARMY 196807 0 2097 8005 OPM SEA NITEOPS 1ST ARMY FORT BELVOIR AMC 196808 0 2097 8005 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 196809 0 2097 8005 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 196810 0 2097 8005 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 196811 0 2097 8005 POST SUPPLY 6TH ARMY FORT ORD 6TH ARMY 196812 0 2097 8005 HHD 44 ENG GP THAILAND PACIFIC 196901 63 2160 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196902 120 2280 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196903 122 2402 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196904 117 2519 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196905 115 2634 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196906 45 2679 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196907 57 2736 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196908 155 2891 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196909 116 3007 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196910 101 3108 WC3FAA 68 ASLT HEL CO VIETNAM RVN 196911 0 3108 W0Y6AA OS TO CONUS ITR CONUS AVCOMITR 196912 0 3108 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 197001 0 3108 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 197002 0 3108 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 197003 0 3108 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 197004 0 3108 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 197005 0 3108 W0MUAA ARADMAC IN MAINT NAVAL AIR STN AVCOM 197006 0 3108 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197007 0 3108 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197008 0 3108 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197009 0 3108 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197010 0 3108 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197011 5 3113 W2WJAA BELL HCPTR BAILMENT FT WORTH AVCOM 197012 31 3144 WAGGAA HHC2BDE 1CAVDIV VIETNAM RVN 197101 75 3219 WAGGAA 2 BDE AM HHC VIETNAM RVN 197102 80 3299 WAGGAA 2 BDE AM HHC VIETNAM RVN 197103 73 3372 WAAVB0 B 227TH BN VIETNAM RVN 197104 61 3433 WAAVB0 B 227TH BN VIETNAM RVN 197105 92 3525 WAAVB0 B 227TH BN VIETNAM RVN 197106 52 3577 WAAVB0 B 227TH BN VIETNAM RVN 197107 62 3639 WAAVB0 B 227TH BN VIETNAM RVN 197108 62 3701 WAAVB0 B 227TH BN VIETNAM RVN 197109 80 3781 WAAVB0 B 227TH BN VIETNAM RVN 197110 63 3844 WAAVB0 59 ASHC VIETNAM RVN 197111 27 3871 WAAVB0 57 AHC VIETNAM RVN 197112 52 3923 WAAVB0 57 AHC VIETNAM RVN 197201 97 4020 WAX5AA 57 AHC VIETNAM RVN
Please send additions or corrections to:
Gary Roush
43 Overbrook Road
Painted Post, NY 14870
Printed from databases on: 05/14/04
Return to Main Index
Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association