Controlled Crash/Superior Maintenance Allows Chopper to Fly Another Day

Probably around March or April 1969 I was flying in a CH-3 as a HM on a T-3 mission out of NKP. Lt. Col. Penny was giving a newly assigned pilot an orientation ride. We were going to the Mukdahan SOF camp when the aircraft experienced an intermediate gear box failure.

Lt. Col. Penney is a darn good pilot and was able to recover the aircraft and made a "controlled" crash landing. The aircraft was rotating when we landed.

Once we landed and inspected the area it was suspected we might have taken a round in that area or the gearbox experienced a catastrophic failure as the gearbox and associated cowling was severely damaged.

The Army Special Forces (Green Berets) placed a perimeter guard around the aircraft for security purposes until we had the aircraft repaired and departed.

We arranged for another CH-3 helicopter to bring a new gearbox and a section of the tail rotor drive shaft. I changed out the gearbox and used a steel edge ruler to assist in installing the drive shaft shims.

Once I completed the installation, the aircraft checked out good. I threw the gearbox cowling inside the aircraft and we returned to NKP that night on a one time flight.

I believe all of the gear boxes and rotor blades were changed due to suspected sudden seizure. (Will Davis)