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89-00171, Boeing D model kit number M3325, was a CH-47D helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 28 September 1990. As of 28 September 2001, 89-00171 had accumulated 1,601.9 D model hours and 5,771.9 total aircraft hours. 89-00171 was a conversion from the original C model Chinook 68-15821. On 10 October 1989, 89-00171 was inducted into the D model program, converted, and was initially assigned to the unit that would eventually become B Company - "Sugar Bears North", 4th Battalion, 123rd Aviation Regiment, located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Fort Wainwright was the former historic Ladd Field of World War Two era fame. B Company was the former C Company, 228th Aviation Regiment (16 October 1987 - 24 June 1994). C Company was the former 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Muleskinners" (located in Alaska from November 1971 through 16 October 1987). When United States involvement in the Vietnam conflict ended, 242nd ASHC was re-located from the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) to Alaska. The aviation unit in Alaska at the time was designated the 236th ASHC, 19th Aviation Battalion (April 1971 - November 1971). When the 242nd ASHC re-located to Alaska and re-formed, the unit name changed from "Muleskinners" to "Sugar Bears" and the unit designation went from the 236th ASHC to the 242nd ASHC. At some point, the unit was split into two companies. One company remained in Alaska and became known as "Sugar Bears North". The other company, C Company, 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, was relocated to Fort Kobbe, Panama and became known as "Sugar Bears South". At some point, "Sugar Bears North" was redesignated Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 52nd Aviation Regiment. At some point, 89-00171 deployed with the Sugar Bears to Iraq. On 14 August 2007, 89-00171 was lost in an accident during a post-maintenance test flight, details unknown. The aircraft was completely destroyed during the crash sequence and there was insufficient evidence remaining to determine the cause. There were five fatalities. As of 1 January 2002, this aircraft was 33.2 years old. As of 14 August 2007, the last known location of 89-00171 was near al-Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, assigned to B Company, 4th Battalion, 123rd Aviation Regiment. Aircraft status: Crashed. |
