Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1C tail number 65-09449
The Army purchased this helicopter 0266
Total flight hours at this point: 00000601
Date: 07/23/1968
Incident number: 680723221ACD Accident case number: 680723221 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: D/227 AVN
The station for this helicopter was Camp Evans in
Number killed in accident = 1 . . Injured = 1 . . Passengers = 0
costing 259314
Source(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Army Aviation Safety Center database.
Crew Members:
AC W1 RR MALTBY
P W1 JE CUMMINGS
CE SGT HESSE CHARLES THOMAS KIA
G E5 JR JARVIS
Accident Summary:
The aircraft departed on its first combat mission at approximately 0630, logging approximately three hours flying time. Upon return from the last mission, approximately 1050 hours, the helicopter went into the POL at Camp Evans. At the completion of refueling, the aircraft commander took off and experienced a power loss after reaching 50 knots. The aircraft commander closed his throttle and sat up an autorotation. The helicopter touched down between the perimeter wire with considerable forward speed. The wire stretched and then flipped the helicopter onto its left side causing major damage. The investigation revealed the helicopter first touched down on the right skid, then both, just over the first line of defensive wire. It then slid, upright, approximately 85 feet, going through the second line of wire stretching it as the helicopter traveled on. When the wire could stretch no more it caused the helicopter to flip over in a cart wheel fashion, coming to rest on its left side. The pilot ejected the rocket pods prior to touchdown. The crew chief's left foot was pinned under the helicopter. In the impact his helmet came off and his head had been struck with an object, believed to be an ammunition tray, causing his death. In the attempt to free him from the wreckage the helicopter was lifted up and he was slid out the left side as the helicopter was held up. When the helicopter was sat back on the ground it was displaced approximately a foot to the right putting the crew chief's helmet on the underneath side. The gunner was hit in the mouth, bruising his lips and causing a small laceration near the mouth.
This record was last updated on 05/25/1998
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Date posted on this site: 11/13/2023
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