CRAPSE JOHN L

CPT John L. Crapse was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 10/21/1977 at the age of 30.0
Jacksonville, NC
Date of Birth 11/01/1947
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps
This information was provided by SSN Deceased search

More detail on this person: John L Crapse US Marine Corps Summary: After lifting a water container the aircraft began rotating until control was lost and contact was made with the ground, shearing off the tail rotor and a large portion of the tail assembly. New engines were installed in the CH-53s to increase the power of the main rotor and on a whole to make the helicopter more powerful. However, it was soon evident that the tail rotor could not balance the increased power created by the main rotor. Under certain conditions the aircraft would become unstable and lose directional heading. Sikorsky warns of these conditions. To compensate for the mistake that had been made, Sikorsky designed and tested a bell crank system to stabilize the rear rotor. After seven years, this helicopter was still not retrofitted with the bell crank system. Gross weight of the container exceeded the lifting capacity of the helicopter. No restrains used by the passengers. Date: October 21, 1977 Time: 10:30 Location: Mindoro, Philippines Operator: Military - U.S. Marine Corps Flight #: ? Route: ? AC Type: Sikorksky CH-53 (helicopter) Registration: 157139 cn / ln: ? Aboard: 37 (passengers:? crew:?) Fatalities: 31 (passengers:? crew:?) Ground: 0

Burial information: Beaufort National Cemetery, Beaufort, SC

This information was last updated 03/08/2018

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024