Boeing CH-47A Chinook helicopter 65-07980.

65-07980

After the 11 September 1982 Germany crash the 92nd Aviation Company had 28 CH-47A helicopters at Paine Field, Everett, Washington, that were grounded along with the rest of the world-wide fleet. Shown above is 65-07980 awaiting transmission inspections.

After the 11 September 1982 Germany crash (74-22292), the 92nd Aviation Company had 28 CH-47A helicopters at Paine Field, Everett, Washington, that were grounded along with the rest of the world-wide fleet. Shown above is 65-07980 awaiting transmission inspections. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.

   65-07980, Boeing build number B-152, was a CH-47A helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 26 January 1966. 65-07980 accumulated 3,708.8 aircraft hours.

   At some point, 65-07980 was assigned to the 179th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Shrimpboats", in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) and remained there through February 1968.

   On 29 October 1966, 65-07980, at 273.0 aircraft hours, was on a mission to evacuate 30 wounded personnel. An attempt was made to use hoist and basket. One pulley failed to operate. The Pilot put the aircraft into an extremely confined area due to a tense hostile situation. The Crew Chief directed a move to the right instead of to the left. The Aft Rotor Blades hit tree limbs. The Pilot was aware blades were hitting branches. All 30 wounded personnel were evacuated. The Pilots were recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).

   On 16 July 1967, 65-07980, at 862.0 aircraft hours, while in a landing zone (LZ) during a combat mission, received small arms fire in the aft area, damaging the structure. The aircraft was repaired in theater.

   In March 1968, 65-07980 was transferred to AMMC in the RVN.

   In May 1968, 65-07980 was transferred to the 147th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Hillclimbers", in the RVN.

   On 13 July 1968, 65-07980, at 1,342.0 aircraft hours, while on a logistics support re-supply mission, received small arms fire in the passenger cargo section. The aircraft was repaired in theater.

   On 20 August 1968, 65-07980, at 1,413.0 aircraft hours, while on a logistics support re-supply mission, received small arms fire in the right side. The aircraft was repaired in theater.

   On 3 September 1968, 65-07980, at 1,515.0 aircraft hours, was resting on a slope. The utility hydraulics system failed and both engines shut off. The engines could not be restarted. There was possible damage to the Aft Vertical Shaft, with other damage possible.

   On 25 September 1968, 65-07980, at 1,515.0 aircraft hours, while on a logistics support re-supply mission, received small arms fire in the forward rotor system area, damaging the main rotor system. The aircraft was repaired in theater.

   On 6 October 1968, 65-07980, at 1,604.0 aircraft hours, while landing to pick up a sling load, the Number 2 Engine came off line and Number 1 Engine had negative response. The Rotor RPM dropped to 250. The aircraft hit on the forward landing gear resulting in incident damage.

   On 29 October 1968, 65-07980, at 1,604.0 aircraft hours, while on a combat mission, the Number 1 Engine failed on takeoff. The aircraft had a trailer as an external load and equipment as an internal load. The aircraft landed on the trailer causing incident damage to the fuselage.

   In December 1968, 65-07980 was transferred to the New Cumberland Army Depot (NCAD), 1st Army, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for maintenance.

   In March 1969, 65-07980 was transferred to the 44th Engineering Group, Thailand.

   In July 1969, 65-07980 was transferred to the 19th ASHC, 8th Army, Korea.

   In December 1971, 65-07980 was transferred to the 271st ASHC - "Innkeepers", 8th Army, Korea.

   In March 1973, 65-07980 was on loan to the Langley Research Center in support of NASA.

   In approximately 1973, 65-07980 was assigned to the 92nd Aviation Company, 6th Army, Washington Army Reserve, located at Paine Field near Everett, Washington, where it remained through at least 1985.

   On 30 April 1986, 65-07980 was inducted into the D model program and converted to 86-01656.

   The last known location of 65-07980 was at Boeing during the conversion.

   Aircraft status: Converted to D model.

December 1976: 65-07980 conducting water landings and piloted by CW4 Doug Houser and Lt. Jackie Reaves. The landings were performed on Lake Samammish east of Seattle, Washington. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger image.