Things that cannot be explained


[ Hall of Fame index ] [ O-Zone Off-Topic Forum ]

By Shark 4 on 11:53:12 06/20/06

I was flying a Huey in a combat assault inserting troops on a mountain ridgeline. It was supposed to be three lifts. On the first two I heard a sound I'd never heard in a Huey. I asked the crew if they heard anything strange or dfferent after each landing. No sir, you're an idiot, said my crew chief (he was very proud of his ship). The second time it was really loud, like a high frequency, high pitched whine. Anyone? Nope, you are still an idiot sir.

When we landed to pick up the troops for the last lift I told my crew chief to get out and look at the engine deck to see if he could see or smell anything amiss. He looked, got back in and said it was clean as a whistle and I was still an idiot.

On the third landing everyone on the crew (co-pilot, crew chief and gunner) were listening for "the sound." I heard it louder than ever. They of course heard nothing and all proclaimed me an idiot.

I was so sure something was wrong I left the flight and made a precautionary landing at a Special Forces camp out in the mountains and called for the maintinence ship to come out because I wasn't going to fly the thing again until it was checked out. My crew thought I was nuts.

The maintinance guys got there about an hour later (we were WAY out in Injun Terrirory). They opened up the cowling, noodled around for about five minutes and then came over to where I was taking a nap. They asked me what I heard. I told them.

With my crew listening the engine guy said the bearings on one of the compressor stages were fused, melted and the engine was going to explode in about 30 seconds to a minute more of run time. That would probably have taken off the tailboom and/or a rotor blade.

The best part? The engine guy said there is no way I should have been able to "hear" that. When the bearings go, it just explodes with no warning.

My crew chief crawled over to me and kissed my boots.

I said my prayer of thanks.

I still can't explain it.


[ Hall of Fame index ] [ O-Zone Off-Topic Forum ]