HIRAN Site #14
The following photographs were taken at HIRAN site #14 by the
co-pilot Mr. David Glick and by Mr. Jim Sever who was stationed at #14 as a HIRAN
Operator for 5 month and witnessed the crash.
I like to thank Mr. Glick and Mr. Sever for being able to
use these very unique pictures.
HH-43B 59-1567 crashed on site #14, elevation 12,000 ft on 2 Februari 1965.
Captain David Glick remembers the
crash as
follows :
" I was sitting
in the copilot's seat. This was my very 1st day in country and the pilot was
introducing me
to the site.
Quite an introduction".
"We had picked up a replacement radio operator and were
ferrying him and his equipment to the site. There was no sling load. As we
approached the site, a cloud blew in and covered the site so we flew away and
tried again when the cloud cleared. But again another cloud came in and blocked
our view of the site. The pilot decided to fly in close to the mountain and,
with the help of ground effect, hover up the mountain side, under the cloud, and
into the site. We had started up the mountain side when a gust of wind blew away
our ground effect and the helicopter settled with the blades striking the
mountain in front of us. As there was a huge drop off to our side, the pilot
immediated dumped the helicopter on its side to prevent our going over the drop
off .
There was still sufficient
control of the aircraft for the final maneuver of firmly planting it on its side
".
"No one was injured and, as I recall, we
removed the engine and transmission and took them off the mountain. The airframe
was left and is still there as far as I know".
"....there really was no time for fear. I recall dissapointment that we lost a bird".
credit for these two pictures goes to Mr. David Glick
credit to these two pictures of HIRAN site #14 goes to Mr. Jim Sever
This picture shows the call sign of HIRAN #14 : SD 84
Mr. Sever stated : "We always added 70 to the site number to come up with
our call sign. The "SD" is for Sheepdog, so the call sign would be "Sheepdog 84".
Further comment : "I was also on Site #2 and #4. I don't have any photos to help out on them. I spent two tours over there, 6 months each. Site 14 was the longest and did a job on me as it was so high in elevation and sure was lonely with only two of us. I can feel for the crews on the ISS (Space Station) for visitors."
updated 21/03/2009