90-00217

 

 

An article from the Killeen Daily Herald Newspaper discussing the return of 90-00217 to Fort Hood, Texas, after repair from the damage caused by high winds. Click-N-Go Here to view a larger version of this image.

 

 

90-00217, Boeing D model kit number M3369, was a CH-47D helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 28 June 1991. The administrative strike date was 24 April 2003. As of 21 December 2001, 90-00217 had accumulated 2,045.0 D model hours and 3,960.0 total aircraft hours. 90-00217 was a conversion from the original C model Chinook 68-15998. On 19 September 1990, 90-00217 was inducted into the D model program, converted, and initially assigned to the Fort Hood, Texas on or about 3 July 1991. At some point, 90-00217 was transferred to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. At some point, 90-00217 was assigned to C Company - "Outlaws", 7th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Aviation Brigade, 159th Aviation Group, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), located at Fort Campbell, and remained there until it was lost due to an accident. On 24 April 2003, while conducting a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan, 90-00217 suffered from the failure of the Number 1 Engine, followed by a severe hard landing. Due to the extent of the damage - which made the airframe uneconomical to repair, the airframe was later destroyed in-place to prevent use by the enemy. The structure of the airframe was damaged in multiple areas, to include most of the floor beams, bulkheads, and stringers. All four landing gear were damaged, as well as the rotor system. Of the 41 personnel on board, there were no injuries. As of 1 January 2002, this aircraft was 32.5 years old. As of 24 April 2003, the last known location of 90-00217 was in Afghanistan, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. Aircraft status: Crashed.

 

 

Below are photographs of 90-00217 at the crash site in Afghanistan showing the severe structural damage:

 

 

Rotor Head and Blade Damage

 

 

Rotor Head and Blade Damage

 

 

Folded Aft Landing Gear

 

 

Drive Train and Flight Controls Damage

 

 

Rotor Head and Blade Damage

 

 

Rotor Blade Damage

 

 

Landing Gear and Belly Structure Damage

 

 

Landing Gear and Fuel System Damage

 

 

The Nose Art of 90-00217

 

 

90-00217, as seen from above.

 

 

90-00217, destroyed in situ.

 

 

The Final Resting Spot after having been destroyed in place to prevent use by enemy forces.

 

 

 

Anybody have a grid coordinate of the crash site? Please send us an email.

 

 

CW3 Rodney Swanson Receives "Broken Wing" Award

22 January 2004

 

 

 

This aircraft was piloted by:

 

Your Name Here.

 

 

This aircraft was crewed by:

 

SGT Glenn W. Meder, CE, November 1996 - January 1998.

 

Your Name Here.

 

 

Related Sites

 

Air America Operations in Southeast Asia

 

 

Comments or Questions ?

Email the Webmaster.