26 February 1979
Jolly Green 72
33d ARRS
HH-53C #69-5787
The HH-53C crashed into the sea 53 miles northeast of Kadena AB, during a routine daytime aerial refuelling mission. At about 1500hrs the Super Jolly Green Giants rotor blade struck the HC-130's refuelling drogue, which caused severe lateral vibrations. The helicopter was about a mile from the island of Yoron-Jima & the crew attempted an autorotation at 250 ft. The damage led to the tail section separation at the tail folding section of the HH-53 which led it to the helicopter rolling upside down & impacting the water. There was one survivor of the 4 man crew.
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Jolly Green 72 Crew |
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Pilot  Maj. Johnny R. Johnson |
Co-Pilot  Capt. Dennis Ray Young
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Flight Engineer TSgt. Stephen K. Hodges  If you have any additional information or anything to add, for example, photos or stories, please contact me at usafjollygreen@gmail.com I will get back to you. Thanks👣 |
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If I remember the survivor was Lt Miller
ReplyDeleteThat's correct
ReplyDeleteRIP Slow Salute
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThe blades were the original aluminum blades and the tip cap was what was torn free after it struck the drogue. The main rotor blade weights were mounted under the tip cap. As the tip cap cover was struck, the weights also were ripped free. That weight asymmetrical imbalance greatly aggravated the vibrations transmitted from the main rotor throughout the empennage where the tail finally failed at its weakest point, the two pylon hinges. Pylons have broken on other accidents. Major Johnny Johnson was getting a check ride from Capt Denny Young. Both were flight examiners. Capt Young was the squadron (33ARRS) SEFE while Major Johnson was the additional duty flight examiner. Both were great pilots. One of the pilots had a technique of lining up behind the drogue, then charging it for the coupling. Note, I recall it as a night time air refueling mission. The surviving crewmember was a great young co-pilot who was standing at the left gun position waiting for his seat time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the technical explanation of the accident. It sounds like you knew the crew well.
DeleteThank you for adding to their story.
It was night
DeleteIt was 1500 hrs middle of the afternoon.
DeleteWe only attempted autorotation after the tail separated. We were planning on landing at Yoron-jima. My name is Tim Miller, I was the survivor.
DeleteHodges replace me as the flight Engineer in Stan Eval when I left
DeleteSteve Hodges replace me in Stan Eval.
ReplyDeleteJack Watkins
DeleteI'm curious as to whether there was some turbulence during the attempted in-flight refueling?
ReplyDeleteNo
Delete