THE WALL OF FACES

The crew of UH-1H (68-16429) was performing a test flight. The purpose of the test flight was to perform an N1 topping check. The aircraft departed Phuoc Vinh at approximately 1030 hours and proceeded to the units test flight area south of the Song Be bridge, RVN. At approximately 1100 hours, according to witnesses on the ground, aircraft 68-16429, which was heading in a northeasterly direction, began violently spinning to the right at an altitude of approximately 1200 feet above ground level. Witnesses also stated that at approximately 700 feet above ground level the aircraft began to recover from the spin and that at approximately 400 feet above ground level the aircraft again began to spin, finally crashing in a rubber plantation 8,000 meters to the southwest of Phuoc Vinh. The aircraft was found resting on its right side heading approximately 120 degrees with the tail boom still attached. Although remaining attached to the main body of the aircraft, the tail boom was bent approximately 60 degrees from its normal position and leaning against a rubber tree. The complete tail rotor section with half of the 90 degree gearbox attached was found approximately 15 meters northwest of the aircraft. The detached tail rotor section was found undamaged with the exception of the 90 degree gearbox which was split in half. The remaining half of the 90 degree gearbox remained attached to the tail boom section. Impact with the rubber trees and found approximately 5 meters south of the main body of the aircraft. Small portions of the main rotor blade were found scattered throughout the crash site area. The three occupants of 68-16429, pilot WO1 Rodney K. Arnold and passengers SFC James H. Brooks Jr. and SP6 James T. Conway, survived the initial impact of the crash but succumbed to their injuries subsequent to the accident. [From vhpa.org]