Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter 88-00092 (Crashed).

88-00092

   88-00092, Boeing D model kit number M3266, was a CH-47D helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 30 June 1989. The administrative strike date was 4 December 1989.

   As of 4 December 1989, 88-00092 had accumulated 17.4 D model hours and 3,848.1 total aircraft hours.

   88-00092 was a conversion from the original B model Chinook 66-19104.

   On 8 July 1988, 88-00092 was inducted into the D model program, converted, and initially assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Camp Humphrey, Republic of Korea (ROK).

   B Company was the former 271st Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Innkeepers".

   At some point, the unit was redesignated B Company - "Innkeepers", 2nd Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment.

   88-00092 remained assigned to B Company until it was lost in an accident on 4 December 1989.

   The last known location of 88-00092 was in the Republic of Korea.

   Aircraft status: Crashed.

Accident Details

On 4 December 1989, while ascending a draw to cross a ridge line, 88-00092 went inadvertently into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The copilot on the controls established the initial emergency procedure. Moments later, visual contact was established with the ridge line. Due to close proximity of the hill mass, collision was unavoidable. The pilot in command and copilot initiated a rapid deceleration and power application in an attempt to avoid impact. The aircraft struck in a near level attitude with the 44 degree slope of the terrain. Rotor blade contact with trees and the ground caused the aircraft to roll inverted and slide down the ridge approximately 120 feet. There were no fatalities or serious injuries. The 5 crew members and 14 passengers were rescued by Air Force and Army MEDEVAC helicopters. There was no post crash fire. SGT Bo Crumpler was the Flight Engineer (FE).