Otis Willie
July 4th 03, 03:06 AM
HH-60 ACCIDENT REPORT RELEASED
(EXCERPT) PRESS RELEASE -- Secretary of the Air Force, Directorate of
Public Affairs
Release No. 0703036 Jul 3, 2003
HH-60 ACCIDENT REPORT RELEASED
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. - Air Force investigators were unable to
determine the primary cause of the crash of an HH-60G March 23 at a
forward operating location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
According to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board report
released today, investigators found substantial evidence that three
factors contributed to the accident. First, the refueling tanker was
flying 150 feet below the required altitude of 500 feet. Second,
limited light reduced the effectiveness of night vision goggles, which
led to spatial disorientation and loss of situational awareness.
Third, the terrain's high altitude, 9,000 feet above sea level,
combined with the 30-degree bank during the refueling aircraft's
climbing turn, made it difficult to maintain the helicopter in the
refueling position.
The crew of six airmen from the 41st and 38th Rescue squadrons, at
Moody Air Force Base, Ga., died as a result of the crash. The
aircraft, valued at more than $21 million, was destroyed. The crew was
en route to support a medical evacuation mission when the incident
occurred.
For more information, contact the ACC Public Affairs office at (757)
764-5007 or e-mail .
-30-
Send this email to friends and colleagues so they can subscribe to
this list or other U.S. Air Force lists at
https://oaprod.hq.af.mil/saf/pa/misc/listserv.cfm
---------------------------
Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com
(EXCERPT) PRESS RELEASE -- Secretary of the Air Force, Directorate of
Public Affairs
Release No. 0703036 Jul 3, 2003
HH-60 ACCIDENT REPORT RELEASED
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. - Air Force investigators were unable to
determine the primary cause of the crash of an HH-60G March 23 at a
forward operating location in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
According to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board report
released today, investigators found substantial evidence that three
factors contributed to the accident. First, the refueling tanker was
flying 150 feet below the required altitude of 500 feet. Second,
limited light reduced the effectiveness of night vision goggles, which
led to spatial disorientation and loss of situational awareness.
Third, the terrain's high altitude, 9,000 feet above sea level,
combined with the 30-degree bank during the refueling aircraft's
climbing turn, made it difficult to maintain the helicopter in the
refueling position.
The crew of six airmen from the 41st and 38th Rescue squadrons, at
Moody Air Force Base, Ga., died as a result of the crash. The
aircraft, valued at more than $21 million, was destroyed. The crew was
en route to support a medical evacuation mission when the incident
occurred.
For more information, contact the ACC Public Affairs office at (757)
764-5007 or e-mail .
-30-
Send this email to friends and colleagues so they can subscribe to
this list or other U.S. Air Force lists at
https://oaprod.hq.af.mil/saf/pa/misc/listserv.cfm
---------------------------
Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com