The remains of a CH-47 Chinook gun ship from the 53rd Aviation Detachment, United States (US) ...

The remains of a CH-47 Chinook gun ship from the 53rd Aviation Detachment, United States (US) Army, after a rotor strike with a stationary transport Chinook, (a slick), in a taxiing accident at the US base at Vung Tau, South Vietnam, in August 1966. The Chinook gun ship, 64-13151, named 'Stump Jumper' was taxiing for take off when the front rotor blades struck the rear stationary blades of the parked transport (slick) Chinook. Eye witnesses described the incident as only lasting a few seconds, which was enough time for 'Stump Jumper' to lose the front and rear rotor blades and cause the rear rotor stubs and transmission to spiral up into the air followed by a large mist of pink transmission fluid. The force caused 'Stump Jumper' to be flung onto its side, broken in two. Debris was strewn over a large area. The accident occurred very close to the flight line of 9 Squadron, RAAF, and was witnessed by several Australians, who stated that large pieces of debris landed in front of them with smaller pieces flying over their heads. At least one piece landed among the 9 Squadron work tents. No Australians were injured, although the crewchief directing the taxiing 'Stump Jumper' was reported to have lost a hand in the accident (he was also a member of the gun ship crew). 'Stump Jumper' was fully fueled and loaded with thousands of rounds of .50 calibre ammunition, hundreds of cannon shells and several dozen rockets. It was a miracle that one or both aircraft did not explode. 'Stump Jumper' was too badly damaged to be repaired and was subsequently written off. The other Chinook was repaired and re entered service.