Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter 89-00165 (Crashed).

89-00165

   89-00165, Boeing D model kit number M3319, was a CH-47D helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 28 August 1990. The administrative strike date was 11 January 1991. As of 11 January 1991, 89-00165 had accumulated 50.1 D model hours and 2,925.1 total aircraft hours.

   89-00165 was a conversion from the original C model Chinook 74-22278.

   On 28 August 1989, 89-00165 was inducted into the D model program, converted, and initially assigned to C Company, 7th Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

   Shortly after arriving at Fort Campbell, 89-00165 was transferred to A Company, 7th Battalion, 101st Airborne Division and deployed with that unit to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

   89-00165 remained assigned to A Company until it was lost due to an accident on 11 January 1991.

   On 11 January 1991, during Operation Desert Storm, the number two engine transmission experienced a catastrophic failure accompanied by an in-flight fire during execution of an emergency landing being conducted as a result of the illumination of the number two engine transmission hot caution light.

   After landing, the copilot, crew and passengers egressed as the pilot actuated the on board fire extinguisher bottles into the number 2 engine area and secured the number 1 engine.

   The aircraft internally loaded cargo, an M102 Howitzer and M998 HMMWV, and the military and personal equipment of the crew and passengers were totally destroyed in the fire.

   Two minor injuries, both back strains, were sustained.

   Post accident teardown analysis of the the components revealed that the Number 2 engine transmission failed from fatigue originating in a grinding defect at time of manufacture.

   As of 11 January 1991, the last known location of 89-00165 was in Saudi Arabia.

   Aircraft status: Crashed.