Engine Problems

As far a problems with choppers, I had an engine quit on a H-19B once, about 1960. This happened as we were flying along the beaches of Long Island, N.Y. in January. We made a nice autorotation onto the beach, but after that is when it got miserable.

Changing an engine on the beach of Long Island, N.Y, in January is damn cold. We had a big bonfire going and we would work for about 10 minutes, then set by the bonfire for about 30 minutes, then back to work and repeat the cycle. As I remember it took us about three days to get the job done and I don't think I have ever been colder in my life.

Seems like on top of the cold temperature there was a steady wind blowing off the ocean the whole time. I think that was the only time in my life that I drank coffee. I'm not a coffee drinker, but that was the only hot liquid we had, so I drank it. (Jim Burns) (Sgt. Danenberg in left photo/Amn Gogan & Sgt Al Reed in right photo both courtesy of Jim Burns)

Had an engine quit on a HH-43B, in 1962-64 time frame, right over the runway at Suffolk Co. AFB, L.I., N.Y. and another nice autorotation right onto the taxiway. (Jim Burns)