[Gernald]

Almost ten years ago on July 8, 1997 my uncle was killed in a blackhawk crash. I was only seven and recently I've really wanted to know what caused the crash. I found some stuff on cnn.com but nothing that says what caused the crash.
I know it was a training mission, and occurred at Fort Bragg, but nothing else except it killed eight or nine people?? Can't remember.
I was just wondering if anyone remembers this crash can tell me what caused it? I'd ask my parents, but my dad feels responsible, and my mother isn't really comfortable talking about it.

[tomder55]

I found that the cause of the deaths was the external fuel tanks .That the crew could've survived if the external tanks did not ignite. That there was some kind of law suit related to the case .That the pilot was flying low and clipped a pine tree . That new rules were put in place after the accident to prevent pilots from low flying during training missions .

Army Says Soldiers Killed in Chopper Crash Could Have Survived


Posted: Mar 18, 1998

FORT BRAGG — Army investigators say eightFort Braggsoldiers killed in a helicopter crash last July could have survived. Documents obtained by WRAL show the crash might not have been fatal had the Blackhawk helicopter not been equipped with external fuel tanks.

Documents obtained by WRAL-TV5 Investigative ReporterStuart Watsonthrough the Freedom of Information Act show that the eight soldiers died, not as a direct result of the crash, but from smoke inhalation during the resulting fire. In fact, the army concluded that the crash itself was survivable, except for the fire which was fueled by ruptured external fuel tanks. The army's own investigators concluded the torpedo-shaped tanks were not crashworthy.

In June, 1996, two Blackhawks collided mid-air at Fort Campbell, Ky, killing six soldiers, but some passengers walked away from that crash. No one walked away from the July 9 Fort Bragg crash. The choppers at Fort Campbell were not carrying external fuel tanks.

Col. Jim Rabon of Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne Brigade tells Watson officials found that the July crash was survivable.

In its report on a Blackhawk crash in West Germany in 1993, the army documented that the external tanks ruptured on impact with catastrophic consequences. One soldier died because of the crash, two others from the resulting fire.

Rabon says crashworthiness is a relative term, but he says no one is making a better external fuel tank for the Blackhawk right now.

Rabon says he has made several changes since the July crash. He has cut down on the number of missions in which external fuel tanks are used. In addition, he has also increased training and has ordered pilots to fly at least 100 feet above all objects in their flight paths.

The Blackhawk that crashed at Fort Bragg clipped a pine tree as it was banking into a turn.

Army Says Soldiers Killed in Chopper Crash Could Have Survived :: WRAL.com

[Gernald]

Thanks... that just makes me hate the crash more.
My uncle wasn't supposed to be on the chopper anyway, he was just along for the ride. To know that he could have lived if there were no external fuel tanks makes it worse.

Thanks for your help, I don't think I could have found that on my own.

[theydrewfirstblood]

Hey Im sorry to hear about your uncle. My Dad, 1st Lt. Tim Alspach, was in the crash as well. I read Tomder55's answer to your question and he got it pretty much right.
I was about 7 as well when it happened. I have never met any other family members of the seven other soldiers who lost their lives that day. So I thought I would just say that I feel the same way you do, and that its cool to find someone who can relate to the same thing.
And if it helps at all, you can tell your dad that no one holds him resposible at all for the crash. It was a crash that might have been able to be avoided, but I don't blame anybody for it.

[Gernald]

My uncle was Tommy Fenton I have no idea what his rank was though.
I've never met anyone either that had family in the crash, weird.
Sorry 'bout your dad.
That would make you about seventeen now wouldn't it? I was seven when it happened too.

Thanks for the advice but my dad's in the military too, therefore he is not in touch with his sentemental emotions, well he is but he won't admit it.

Sorry again about your dad, and it's nice to meet you.

[tomder55]

Gernald your Uncle was a Sgt. Check out this site . The full crew is listed

ARMY AIR CREWS: Blackhawk Crewmembers Line of Duty Deaths

CW2 Michael D. Pannell [PC]
CWO Brad J. Ronan [PI]
SPC Jack T. Tucker [CE]
1LT Timothy K. Alspach
SGT Thomas J. Fenton
SSG Leslie W. Martin
SPC Angela E. Niedermayer
SSG Loren R. Woodrow

[theydrewfirstblood]

Yes, I am 17 about to be 18 in like 2 weeks.
Its nice to meet you as well though.