S/N #73-1650

MH-53J #73-1650 of the 20th SOS, crewed by Capt. Jack Kelly (P), Capt. Dave Harris  (CP), unkn (FE), unkn (FE), TSgt. Jerry Price (AG), unkn (AG), and unkn (unkn), autorotated to a field near Pope AFB, NC. when the tail rotor gearbox separated from the aircraft in flight. The helicopter landed hard and was not repairable, all seven crewmembers and eight Army Rangers on board were injured, three seriously, including Lt. Col. Bo Johnson, who was also aboard. Cause of the mishap was failure of the TGB pylon mount lugs due to corrosion.

No other details are available at this time.