Helicopter UH-1D 66-16637

Information on U.S. Army helicopter UH-1D tail number 66-16637
The Army purchased this helicopter 0767
Total flight hours at this point: 00002009
Date: 09/22/1969
Accident case number: 690922211 Total loss or fatality Accident
Unit: 135 AHC
The station for this helicopter was Bear Cat in South Vietnam
Number killed in accident = 0 . . Injured = 2 . . 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 MILLER DW
IP W2 KELLAN GE

Accident Summary:

AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN DISPATCHED TO MAKE A PASSENGER PICKUP AT SAIGON. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED AT HOTEL 3 IN SAIGON AND PICKED UP TWO PASSENGERS; ONE WHOSE DESTINATION WAS BEARCAT, RVN, THE OTHER PASSENGER'S DESTINATION WAS LONG THANH NORTH. IT WAS DECIDED BY THE IP TO DROP OFF THE PASSENGER FOR LONG THANH FIRST, THEN THE PASSENGER FOR BEARCAT AND THEN BEGIN THE CHECK RIDE. THE FLIGHT FROM SAIGON TO LONG THANH NORTH WAS UNEVENTFUL WITH ALL INSTRUMENTS IN THE GREEN AND THE CONTROLS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. ON FINAL APPROACH TO LONG THANH NORTH, RUNWAY 23, AT 100 FEET AND APPROXIMATELY 40 KNOTS THE IP HEARD A "BANG" AND FELT A BUMPING IN HIS PEDALS. THE NOSE YAWED RIGHT INSTANTLY, MR. KELLAM BOTTOMED THE PITCH IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE AIRCRAFT TO STREAMLINE, HOWEVER, THE NOSE CONTINUED TO YAW TO THE RIGHT. JUST PRIOR TO GROUND CONTACT MR. KELLAM POPPED THE PITCH TO STOP THE HIGH RATE OF DESCENT, AND ROLLED THE THROTTLE OFF TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT FROM SPINNING. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD, BOUNCED TWICE AND CAME TO REST ON A HEADING OF 134 DEGREES. THE CREW EXITED THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT PROBLEM. THE PILOT'S DOOR WAS JAMMED SHUT SO LT MILLER ELECTED TO EXIT THE AIRCRAFT THROUGH THE "GREENHOUSE." HE DID SO BY CROUCHING ON HIS SEAT, THEN STANDING STRAIGHT UP, FORCING HIS HELMET THROUGH THE GREEN PLEXIGLASS. THE CREW AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE EVACUATION BY A PASSING HELICOPTER TO THE 24TH EVACUATION HOSPITAL WHERE THEY WERE CHECKED AND RELEASED.


The following is Goldbook information on US Army helicopter UH-1H tail number 66-16637
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 0767.
Please provide any additional information on this helicopter to the VHPA.

DATE  FLT HRS    UIC      UNIT          AREA          POST          COUNTRY
6707   0    0 W0Y6AA INTRANSIT        IN TRANSIT                  AVCOMCTR
6708   0    0 3300   BELL HCPTR       BAILMENT   FT WORTH         AVCOM    
6709 119  119 WGPQAA 335 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN     
6710  74  193 WGPQAA 335 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN     
6711  24  217 WGPQAA 335 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN     
6712  58  275 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6801 112  387 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6802 104  491 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6803 108  599 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6804 118  717 WCLQAA 335 TRANS CO     VIETNAM                     RVN     
6805 116  833 WGPQAA 335 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6806  62  895 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6807  81  976 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6808  72 1048 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6809  60 1108 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6810  54 1162 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6811  84 1246 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6812  48 1294 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6901 102 1396 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6902  68 1464 WC3JAA 129 ASLT HEL CO  VIETNAM                     RVN     
6903   0 1464 WCLNAA 79 TRANS CO      VIETNAM                     RVN     
6904   0 1464 WCLNAA 79 TRANS CO      VIETNAM                     RVN     
6905  93 1557 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN     
6906 102 1659 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN     
6907 165 1824 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN     
6908 131 1955 WC08AA 135 AVN CO       VIETNAM                     RVN     
6909  54 2009 WCLMAA 56 TRANS CO DS   VIETNAM                     RVN