KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS

After the mass evacuation, the last crew to leave had to carry out all the remaining stuff from the site. This included the famous refueling pump that was put together by the Ponies I think --- any way, it was an irrigation pump converted to JP-4 with new seals, and whatever else was left. Also some heavy refueling hoses, etc. Also, there was the Lao Lt leading a small patrol (5?) that had the body of one of their soldiers that needed to be brought back for burial.

The procedure we taught (tried to teach) when we were loading unknown amount of weight was to hover check before beginning a takeoff, even a running takeoff: six inch wheel clearance = good to go; no hover, no go.

Well they thought it all wasn't too heavy, and started a rolling takeoff down the short ridgeline without first trying a hover check. The result was ‘can't climb, wallowing through the air, yelling at the FEs to start kicking out the stuff’. So there goes the hoses, and the smaller stuff, finally the irreplaceable pump. Finally the pilots say "...we're climbing now....I think we can clear the ridge...." To which one of the FEs replied "...sure glad sir...the Laos threw out the body and then the Lt was lining up his troops to jump too!!...." Another day in the life of "...You Call, We'll Haul..."

(This is the story as it was told to me, Harold Brattland~ROTORHEAD contributor)