Last Friday, rescuers used a twin-rotor CH-47D Chinook helicopter to perform an extremely dangerous high-altitude two-wheel pinnacle-landing and rescue operation on Mt. Hood to save a stranded civilian. The helicopter and crew belonged to the 168th Aviation Regiment, based in Pendelton, Oregon.
According to theaviationist.com/…, who reported the story -
Two helicopters including an Oregon Air National Guard CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopter responded to an emergency 911 phone call from the mountain at approximately 14:30 LT on Friday, July 13, 2018. According to reports, one of the aircraft that initially responded was a single main rotor UH-60 Blackhawk. Because of the altitude of the rescue, well above 10,000 feet in thinner air where rotary wing aircraft can have difficulty maintaining lift, the larger twin-rotor CH-47F Chinook was used for the rescue.
Watch the video below to get an appreciation of the tremendous skill and courage required to pull off this high-precision maneuver.
In an ironic twist to the story, the rescued man reportedly climbed Mt. Hood to commit suicide but later changed his mind. Six rescuers ascended the mountain to locate the climber and bring him down, but could not come back due to dangerous unstable summer conditions at the top of the mountain.
According to theaviationist.com/…, not all such dangerous rescues have a happy ending -
The dangers of helicopter rescues on Mt. Hood were underscored in a tragic May, 2002 attempted rescue of four injured climbers on Oregon’s Mount Hood, when an HH-60G Pave Hawk of the Air Force Reserve Command’s 304th Rescue Squadron crashed on live television, rolling down the mountain after losing lift in shifting mountain winds. During that 2002 incident, three people died and four others were critically injured after they fell into a crevasse on the mountain near Timberline Lodge. One member of the rescue team was also critically injured when the helicopter rolled over him as it tumbled down the mountainside after crashing.
Boeing CH-47 Chinook
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook was developed by the American rotorcraft company Vertol and manufactured by Boeing Vertol (later known as Boeing Rotorcraft Systems). The CH-47 is among the heaviest lifting Western helicopters. It remains one of the few aircraft to be developed during the early 1960s, that has remained in both production and frontline service for over 50 years.
A twin-rotor helicopter has increased stability over a single rotor when weight is added or removed, for example, when troops drop from or begin climbing up ropes to the aircraft, or when other cargo is dropped.
Here is a video demonstrating the versatility of the Chinook helicopter -
There was a commercial version of the Chinook as well -
Hopefully, some of the kossacks here have some first-hand experience with these versatile aircraft and their role in combat and humanitarian missions.
The 168th Aviation Regiment
More info on the 168th Aviation Regiment at www.helis.com/… and www.mil.wa.gov/...
Epilogue
Apparently, the number of rescues on such mountains with easy access has increased over the years, as inexperienced people attempt climbs and find themselves in dangerous situations and rescue is sometimes just a cell-phone call away.
Hats off to the men and women who have the skill, courage and tenacity to pull off such rescues at great risk to their own lives and limbs.
P.S. Please avoid snarky comments about the suicide attempt by the rescued person; suicide is a serious matter and deserves serious discussion.