| |
85-24337, Boeing D model kit number M3107, was a CH-47D helicopter. The U.S. Army acceptance date was 27 March 1986. As of 8 February 1999, 85-24337 had accumulated 1,699.6 D model hours and 4,728.6 total aircraft hours. 85-24337 was a conversion from the original C model Chinook 67-18509. On 22 March 1985, 85-24337 was inducted into the D model program, converted, and initially assigned to the unit that would eventually become C Company - "Flippers", 159th Aviation Regiment, 18th Aviation Brigade, located at Simmons Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. At some point, and as of 31 December 2003, the 18th Aviation Brigade was located at Simmons Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, and was subordinate to the 18th Airborne Corps. The 18th Airborne Corps was subordinate to Forces Command (FORSCOM), which was a major command (MACOM) of 2nd Army. C Company was the former 196th Assault Support Helicopter Company (ASHC) - "Flippers". The 196th ASHC was re-designated A Company, 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment in approximately 1988. In September 1996, 2nd Battalion was deactivated and the unit was re-designated A Company, 159th Aviation Regiment. In approximately November 1996, the unit was re-designated as C Company, 159th Aviation Regiment. 85-24337 remained assigned to C Company until 8 February 1999, when the aircraft suffered a hard landing on short final at the airport in La Mesa, Honduras, on the first leg of the return trip back to Fort Bragg. 85-24337 had been deployed for 120 days in support of relief efforts after Hurricane Mitch devastated much of Central America. 85-24337 experienced engine power loss and suspected flight boost system and flight controls temporary lockup. The crew autorotated the aircraft and experienced a hard landing that crushed the aft landing gear and warped the aft fuselage. There were no injuries to personnel. The aircraft was evacuated to San Angelo, Texas for storage awaiting determination. At some point the aircraft was assigned to Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD), Corpus Christi, Texas, for repair. As of January 2004, the last known location of 85-24337 was at CCAD. Aircraft status: Undergoing repair. |
