The Chopper That Couldn't

They helped mine Haiphong Harbor, retrieved airmen downed in hostile territory during the Viet Nam War, rescued crew members of the Mayaguez, who had been seized by Cambodian Communists, and flew in the commandos who raided the San Tay P.O.W. camp in North Viet Nam. The honor roll is long and distinguished for the Sikorsky S-65 series of helicopters, a mammoth, 25-ton rotary-blade airship that in its various versions, including the affectionately named Jolly Green Giant, has been one of the most dependable workhorses for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.

But there were no honors last week for the grand old trooper. It was the Navy model, known as the RH-53 Sea Stallion, that malfunctioned during the rescue attempt in Iran and forced the operation to be scrubbed. The hero of so many missions suddenly became the chopper that couldn't.

The challenge of going to the aid of the hostages seems well within the capabilities of the aircraft. With its two turboshaft engines, it can carry an eight-ton payload. In one configuration, it can seat 37 combat troops. With extra, disposable fuel tanks, the aircraft has a range of up to 800 miles, and even this can be extended by airborne refueling. Last week the chopper had to fly only 500 nautical miles. But theoretical ranges can be reduced by a number of factors: extra-heavy loads, such as weapons and other equipment carried by last week's rescue team, strong head winds and fuel-costly low-altitude flights.

Deployed by the Navy primarily to sweep up enemy mines and support amphibious operations, the Sea Stallion is jampacked with electronic gear. The aircraft that flew into Iran were loaded with even more equipment. An infra-red device, for example, was added to scan the territory ahead of the helicopter at night and give the pilot a TV-like picture of the approaching terrain. Even in a pitch-black night and at altitudes as low as shrub level, the pilots of the Sea Stallions would be able to see clearly where they were heading.

It was not the highly sensitive electronics systems that went wrong but much more basic systems. This is particularly baffling because the helicopter has had an excellent record in the 14 years it has been deployed. The Sea Stallions are tough and have racked up an excellent reliability record. Aborted flights have been rare. The fact that three of the choppers suffered electrical or hydraulic malfunctions is puzzling experts, but they can only speculate about the causes until a thorough investigation is completed.

One possibility stems from the fact that the Sea Stallions had spent three months aboard the Nimitz in the steamy heat of the Indian Ocean. Under the best of circumstances, salt air can insidiously corrode electrical and mechanical systems. Another possibility is that the choppers were inadequately maintained because technicians aboard the Nimitz were overworked and underexperienced (the average age of those tending the Sea Stallions' various systems: 19 years). Says a civilian aircraft accident investigator: "I would guess that the probable cause of this mess will turn out to be fatigued, minimally qualified and experienced mechanics who were overwhelmed. Those birds were sitting ducks for trouble."

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