Incident Overview
Date: Wednesday 29 October 1980
Aircraft Type: Lockheed YMC-130H Hercules
Owner/operator: United States Air Force – USAF
Registration Number: 74-1683
Location: Valparaiso-Wagner Field, FL –
ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Component Affected: Aircraft systems ? specifically, the slowdown rocket system, lift rocket system, and control systems.Aircraft systems ? specifically, the slowdown rocket system, lift rocket system, and control systems.
Category: Accident
A Lockheed Hercules 74-1683 aircraft was modified to simulate helicopter-like capabilities, utilizing lift rockets slanting downward and slowdown rockets facing forward. During a STOL demonstration flight, the pilot fired the upper set of slowdown rockets at a height of 40 feet, instead of the usual 20 feet. This resulted in the aircraft coming to a standstill in the air, falling onto the runway, with a right wing collapse and a fire.A Lockheed Hercules 74-1683 aircraft was modified to simulate helicopter-like capabilities, utilizing lift rockets slanting downward and slowdown rockets facing forward. During a STOL demonstration flight, the pilot fired the upper set of slowdown rockets at a height of 40 feet, instead of the usual 20 feet. This resulted in the aircraft coming to a standstill in the air, falling onto the runway, with a right wing collapse and a fire.
Description
Lockheed Hercules 74-1683 was modified so it could take off and land almost like a helicopter. The aircraft was equipped with lift rockets slanting downward, slowdown rockets facing forward. The aircraft was intended for use in Iran to rescue American hostages. During a STOL demonstration flight on a disused airfield the pilot fired the upper set of slowdown rockets at a height of 40 feet, instead of 20 feet at usual. The navigator was trained to fire the lower slowdown rockets three seconds later, just after touchdown. When he fired the rockets, the plane was at a height of 20 feet and came almost to a standstill in the air, falling down onto the runway. The right wing collapsed and a fire erupted.
Primary Cause
Pilot error ? incorrect firing sequence of slowdown rockets, resulting in a sudden and uncontrolled descent.Pilot error ? incorrect firing sequence of slowdown rockets, resulting in a sudden and uncontrolled descent.Share on:
