4 KILLED IN MARINE HELICOPTER CRASH NEAR EL CENTRO, MILITARY SAYS

ABC 7 - Los Angeles ^ | April 4 | Staff

[BwanaNdege]

The 53’s are similar configuration to the Sea Stallions used by the Navy... had the opportunity to do a “Hollywood Jump” in 1976 during All American Week at 5,000 feet from one. Cramped but excellent for rescue operations.

The 53's ARE Sea Stallions, at least the CH-53D. THe CH-53E is called the Super Stallion and has three engines and seven main rotor blades vs the two engines and six main baldes of the CH-53D.

"Cramped"? Relative to what, a C-130, C-17 or C-5? The 53 cargo compartment, IIRC, is 25 feet long, 6.5 ft high and 7.5 ft wide. It has been 40 years since I last flew one, so my numbers may be a bit off. But I do remember carrying a jeep & trailer inside one.

I've also flown "Frogs", the CH-46. All Helos are "a group of spare parts flying in loose formation", a "mass of machinery which has been forced into the air against its will".

A lot of mechanical parts to break - far more than in a comparable fixed-wing aircraft. The main rotor mast on the CH-53D was subject to 300,000 lb-ft of torque. The centrifugal load on each rotor blade was 100,000 lbs.

Almost everything you ever wanted to know about the various Sikorsky H-53 models

[CodeToad]

You’re an idiot for equating location of troops with a crash. Just a total moron. Your hatred of Trump is nothing less than liberal ignorance and stupidity.

Liberals are the most hate-filled moron’s.

[originalbuckeye]

I am pretty sure that frequently, Military aircraft are using very old replacement parts. Many of which have been canabalized from very old aircraft. We need to make sure that the aircraft our Military are flying get the best upkeep, not just what is affordable.

[originalbuckeye]

Ok. You’re making me sick to my stomach now........our military needs flyable aircraft and the BEST maintenance we have to offer.....NOW!

[Mr.Unique]

Billions

You don't know, do you?

Give me a number and a source.

[BwanaNdege]

BTW, although nothing over 90 degrees angle of bank was approved for Fleet pilots, when flown by factory pilots or Pax River Test Pilots, the CH-53D would do ‘aileron rolls’, barrel rolls, loops & Split-S.

I once saw 6,000 feet per minute rate of climb. (grins!)

[xone]

The reported levels of violence on our borders, not to mention in these S..hole countries means our troops will be outgunned and outmanned.

WTF are you talking about. This had zip to do with the border. If and when Title 10 forces get back to the border, they won't be outgunned. Who cares about outmanned? That's what guns are for.

[xone]

"Cramped"? Relative to what, a C-130, C-17 or C-5?

Thanks, was wondering what the hell he has been jumping out of if a shitter is cramped. Like a bowling alley in there.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Ya gotta be kidding me. Between GW Bush & Obama...they sliced and cut billions from the military budgets across the board. Now...you may or may not know this...but, it take millions of bucks to keep all of our armed vehicles, tanks, ships, aircraft, trucks, etc. in full battle readiness. It’s called preventive maintenance. To do that takes tons of trained, experienced, technical manpower, tools, support equipment, parts, etc.

Obama never worked an honest day in his life, so, he had nary a clue that things were absolutely required to be funded in order for the military to protect the country and citizens, at a moment notice. But...Obama only wanted to take the country down. GW Bush...should have known better...he was an active airman and knows what it takes to keep the fleet flying. Shame and damn on both of these two loser, traitors!!!

And, as for your demands of me for “a number & source”...that’s your job as a citizen to get that information for yourself, not from me...otherwise, friend, you are lost at sea and should not be voting, IMHO.

[Mr.Unique]

..they sliced and cut billions from the military budgets across the board...

Yet, you can't quote a number.

That's not my fault.

[Newtoidaho]

Heard a pilot once say there are 2 kinds of helicopters.

Those that are in the process of crashing, and those that are about to be in the process of crashing.

[huldah1776]

Yup. I think all government officials should have to fly via military aircraft.

[Spacetrucker]

That particular 46 was 75 feet off the deck when it let loose. Think they were gonna do hook n haul drills. As far as 53’s, I can tell you from first-hand exerience (couple very hard landings) that tears are the last bodily function that comes up.

[xone]

Most of the guys that I knew who got croaked did so via the shitter. The 46 synch shaft parted, from 75 ft all you can do is bottom the collective and crash. Aft head is still powered, forward isn’t. Where the blades mesh means that there will be problems.

[Spacetrucker]

Shittter was a constant hydraulic sieve since inception. How that damn bird stayed in service for so long is a mystery to me. Still loved it tho, kinda wears on ya after a few trips in it - ain’t nothin like doin 150+ at 100 ft in a bird that beats the air into submission.

[21twelve]

That is an amazing photo.

“Okay - now that you’ve figured out how to capture a 4-inch hose with your 8-inch basket at the end of a 40-foot pole getting knocked around in the wind and rotor blast all while going 120 mph - lets do it with two Humvees dangling below you!”

[xone]

Yeah, it was fast. When we were composited, we were lucky to keep 2 of them up. If the boat we were on wasn’t such a greasy POS, the slick we left would have been all hydraulic fluid.

[BwanaNdege]

...lets do it with two Humvees dangling below you!

Somewhere I've got a photo of two CH-53E refueling while each is sling-loading an LAV-25!

Ooooh RAH!

[BwanaNdege]

Heard a pilot once say there are 2 kinds of helicopters. Those that are in the process of crashing, and those that are about to be in the process of crashing.

Although I've lost a number of friends in Helo accidents, I never managed to break one.

I flew TH-57/Bell 206 Jet Rangers, UH-1E/L/N, CH-46D/E, CH-53D, AS-350B/D & Hughes 269.

Now, all I fly are memories! :-)

[KTM rider]

My hats off and prayers up to those lost,

impressed by your record sir, I flew onboard as loading crew a few firefighting missions in a Bell 206b in forest service helitack, got to work the cyclic and pedals a few times, went for a stunt ride on mt san jacinto, pilot crashed and died 3 years after i was on his crew