What Happened? On Sept. 11, 1982, a CH-47 Chinook helicopter
from the Coleman Barracks-based 295th Assault Support Helicopter
Company was carrying skydivers from France, Germany and Wales when
it plummeted 600 feet to the ground during an air show marking
Mannheims 375th anniversary.
Slide 3
Fatalities There were skydivers and pilots. It was not known
for how many fatalities but it was mentioned that the accident was
un-survivable
Slide 4
Design Flaw? The usage of Walnut Grit to clean the
transmission. The failure of the Input Pinion Capsule was caused by
walnut grit blocking the lubricating oil journals inside the
transmission. Walnut grit was successfully used as an effective
cleaning agent for the transmissions during the overhaul process.
It is softer than the base metal, but harder than the contaminants
that accrue inside the transmission
Slide 5
Lessons learned The walnut grit was replaced with liquid
solution In addition, they added pressure, temperature, and debris
screens to give the pilot time to descend for safety
Slide 6
Engineering projects are social experiments The purpose was to
celebrate Mannheim Airbases 375 th Anniversary
Slide 7
Technological development warrants cautious optimism They added
a more sound safety system to all military copters.
Slide 8
Ethic Dilemmas N/A
Slide 9
Personal Meaning and Commitments Made sure the helicopters got
a more thorough maintenance and the safety measures were
working
Slide 10
Micro and Macro Issues Micro: The skydivers and the 2 pilots
died in the crash Macro: The cost of helicopter