CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 3 CHRIS WARE
1-183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion
Idaho Army National Guard
Gowen Field, Idaho

Imagine dangling 300 feet in the air beneath a Black Hawk with only a single communication cord and a loose safety strap between you and a fatal fall. This was the terrifying reality for one Soldier during a routine drill weekend. What began as a standard sling load continuation training flight quickly turned into an extraordinary test of crew coordination, survival gear and quick thinking under pressure.

The flight began with perfect weather conditions, featuring excellent visibility and clear skies. A thorough preflight inspection of both the aircraft and the logbook revealed no issues. The UH-60L Black Hawk crew consisted of a pilot in command (PC) with nearly 3,000 flight hours, a second pilot — also a qualified PC — with nearly 2,000 flight hours, a right-seat crew chief with 75 flight hours and a left-seat crew chief with 150 flight hours.

As they approached the training area, the left-seat crew chief secured his tether to the cabin area, left his seat and prepared to guide the upcoming sling load. On short final to the landing zone (LZ), the PC announced that the aircraft was below effective translational lift (ETL). The cabin-bound crew chief confirmed his attachment to the tether, requested permission to open the left cabin door and secured it in the open position. To prepare for the load delivery, he sat on the cabin floor and slid into position in the far aft left corner to call the load to the ground. That’s when things went awry.

Suddenly, the crew chief slid out of the open doorway, dangling helplessly 3 feet below the cabin floor as the aircraft was on short final to the LZ. To prevent himself from spinning violently in the rotor wash, the crew chief managed to grab one of the sling legs. Fortunately, his internal communication system (ICS) long cord remained connected, enabling him to transmit a calm, steady alert: “I’m outside the aircraft.”

Because “outside the aircraft” is a common term used when crew members lean out to clear the airframe, the pilots initially acknowledged the call with a routine, “Roger.” Realizing the misunderstanding, the dangling crew chief immediately clarified: “I’m hanging outside of the aircraft.” Once the crew understood the critical nature of the emergency, they worked together seamlessly. Suspended below the airframe, the crew chief calmly continued calling instructions to the pilots, guiding the sling load to the ground. He then directed the pilots to slide the helicopter right and lower it to set him and the aircraft down safely.

Once on the ground, the shaken crew remained in the LZ to discuss the close call and process their reactions. To rebuild confidence and ensure every crew member could still perform their duties under stress, they conducted one more training iteration. After completing this run, the crew canceled the remainder of the flight and returned to base. The crew chief and the PC immediately reported the incident to the state Army aviation officer, who discussed preventive measures with them without reprisal or disciplinary action.

A safety investigation concluded the following day, identifying a poorly adjusted tether as the sole cause of the incident. Due to a shortage of equipment within the unit, the crew chief had borrowed the tether from the standardization instructor. The tether was nearly 7 feet long and its excess strap was taped up, giving the false appearance of a secure, flight-ready configuration. Because the tether was secured to a floor anchor too close to his position, the excessive slack allowed the Soldier to slide completely out of the aircraft. Securing the tether to a tie-down point farther from the door would have easily eliminated the dangerous slack.

Lessons Learned

• Preflight equipment verification: Crewmembers must physically measure and adjust borrowed or taped safety tethers before flight rather than relying on their visual appearance.
• Aviation life support equipment: Utilizing a correctly fitted ALSE vest remains a critical lifesaving barrier when primary restraint systems fail.

This harrowing near miss underscores that even minor preflight omissions can result in life-threatening emergencies. While the crew’s outstanding composure and lifesaving equipment averted a tragedy, the incident highlights the critical need for absolute vigilance before leaving the hangar. By verifying every safety restraint and maintaining clear communication, aircrews can ensure that routine training remains safe and successful.