On 20 Nov 2003 04:10:22 GMT, (Regnirps) wrote:

steve gallacci wrote:

Actually, that was a windy situation on a very steep slope that ended
with a rotor strike (if I remember correctly). The footage clearly
showed the machine hovering, attempting to get in close, then things got
bad. It was on Mt Hood or Mt Rainier.

Mt. Hood. There was a fierce cold air downdraft like a microburst and I recall
some other problem.

-- Charlie Springer

January 13, 2003
"The Army Reserve company of Fort Lewis-based CH-47D helicopters has
been called up to active duty. The unit's 200 or so soldiers and most
of its 15 Chinooks will head out to an undisclosed assignment overseas
sometime in the next ..."

Jun 26, 2002 Mt. Rainier, Washington 14,408 feet.
"Unlike a similar crash last month on Oregon's Mount Hood, the crew
members involved in Tuesday's accident walked away uninjured. The two
rescuers in the Bell Jet Ranger later trudged up the mountain to
assist an injured climber.
Both the twin-bladed Chinook and the smaller Jet Ranger helicopters
are routinely used during rescues on Mount Rainier. Chinooks, capable
of flying to Rainier's summit, are provided ..."

May 30, 2002 Mt. Hood Oregon 11,240 ft.
"The helicopter could be seen wobbling before rotors apparently
clipped the edge of the mountain as it attempted to maneuver for a
rescue above 10,000 feet shortly before 2 p.m. PT..."
"...The Pave Hawk helicopter, a highly modified version of the Army
Black Hawk, plummeted into the snow on the side of a ridge where it
rolled over and over until it came to a stop at the bottom..."
"...The helicopter was part of the 939th Air Force Reserve Rescue
Wing, and was in training for assignment in the war on terror
overseas, Pentagon officials said. Pave Hawks are most often used in
combat rescue missions..."