71-20955

 

 

         
First unit patch of the 271st Assault Support Helicopter Company.
Second unit patch of the 271st Assault Support Helicopter Company.
Third unit patch of the 271st Assault Support Helicopter Company.

 

 

             71-20955, Boeing build number B-689, was a CH-47C helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 31 July 1974. 71-20955 accumulated 3,043.0 aircraft hours. At some point, 71-20955 was assigned to the 271st Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Innkeepers", located at Camp Humphreys in the Republic of Korea (South Korea). In 1983, 71-20955 was involved in an accident when the aircrew attempted to land on a mountain top landing zone (LZ), severely damaging the rotor system and drive train. The aircraft was repaired in theater. On 2 February 1990, 71-20955 was inducted into the D model program and converted to 90-00188. The last known location of 71-20955 was at Boeing during the conversion. Aircraft status: Converted to D model.

 

 

         
The Nose Art of 71-20955, while in Korea from 1983 to 1986.

          The Nose Art of 71-20955

 

 

          Stuck between a rock and a hard spot

 

 

             71-20955, was known as the "Widow Maker". On 27 April 1983, 71-20955 was performing a mission to an island mountain top in support of the United States Air Force (USAF). The mountain top was never intended for a Chinook to land on with all four gear on the ground. Cargo missions to the mountain were usually performed by doing a two wheel landing. During this particular mission the crew decided they could put all four gear on the landing pad. Upon touching down the forward blades contacted the mountain side next to the landing pad. It chopped approximately three feet off of each forward blade and the sudden stoppage damaged the combining transmission (C-Box). The aircraft lurched to the left and very nearly went over the side of the cliff. The recovery took several days. All three forward blades had to be replaced along with the C-Box. It was decided not to replace the forward transmission. Instead, it was inspected using a borescope and determined that it was "OK" to operate. Getting the parts, tools and personnel to the site was a logistical nightmare. They couldn't be air lifted to the landing pad because those involved were afraid that the rotor wash would send 71-20955 over the side. The parts and pieces had to be dropped off nearby and then hand carried to the site. One can imagine carrying an 800 pound C-Box up and down a rugged mountain side. In addition to repairing the aircraft, the mountain side where the blades made contact had to be excavated. Emergency Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel were brought in to blast some of the rock away so the new blades would clear at next engine startup. Note the picture below with the plywood against the side of the aircraft. It was placed there to protect the aircraft from flying debris blasted away from the mountain. When the aircraft was finally repaired and the mountain cleared away, 71-20955 started up. The helicopter was immediately lifted off of the pad. The stability of the ground underneath the forward gear was in question so it was decided that the best course of action was to get into the air as soon as possible. The aircraft was then flown to the beach below and additional maintenance performed before returning to home station at Camp Humphreys. Upon 71-20955's return home, the forward transmission was never replaced. In fact, it remained installed in the aircraft until 71-20955 was inducted into the Fiberglass Rotor Blade (FRB) modification. At that time, the forward transmission was replaced. The aircraft was well known to have mysterious noises coming from the forward transmission area periodically during flight. The source of the noises was never discovered and there was no other adverse affects. The noises did stop when the transmission was replaced some 3 years after the incident. For that reason the aircraft was named "Widow Maker". Sgt Ralph Wood explained to CHN, " One time when I was flying it on Christmas Eve on a mail haul mission to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), we had a complete intercom failure, no one could talk or hear. Then the transmission noises started. I was glad to return from that flight."

 

         
Boeing CH-47C Chinook 71-20955 stuck on a mountain in the Republic of Korea.

 

         
Boeing CH-47C Chinook 71-20955 stuck on a mountain in the Republic of Korea.

 

         
Boeing CH-47C Chinook 71-20955 stuck on a mountain in the Republic of Korea.

 

         
Boeing CH-47C Chinook 71-20955 stuck on a mountain in the Republic of Korea.

 

         
Boeing CH-47C Chinook 71-20955 stuck on a mountain in the Republic of Korea.

          A UH-1 "Huey" brings in a replacement rotor blade as the Chinook is repaired.

 

 

          Southern Star Newspaper Article

 

 

         

 

         

             Removing the damaged rotor blades. This is the only known photograph showing the maintenance crane installed in the forward position of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. If you have a better image showing the crane in use, please send it into to us - it would be much appreciated.

 

 

         

 

 

          This aircraft was piloted by:

 

 

          Your Name Here.

 

 

          This aircraft was crewed by:

 

 

          SGT Tom Nee, UNK, 1987 - 1988.

 

          SPC Lew Newby, CE, 1988.

 

          SGT Rolly Shumaker, CE, 1977 - 1978.

 

          Your Name Here.

 

 

          The CH-47 - 40 years old and still circling the world.

         

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