[simpits-tech] don't golf on an AFB

[simpits-tech@simpits.org]

John,

Thank you very much for sharing that story with us. Always interested to
hear stories by miltary aviators in such details and how real life factors
impact on the actions/ procedures you will take to save lifes and preserve
the airframe.

Whenever you feel like sharing more stories, I am all ears :)

Cheers mate,

Al
Sydney, Oz
----- Original Message -----
From: "John P. Miguez" <jmiguez@bellsouth.net>
To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2003 6:21 AM
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] don't golf on an AFB


> Well, I don't have that many stories, so you may have heard this already.
> Sometimes flying really is hours of boredom followed by moments of terror.
>
>
>
> The RF4-C had just gone through the depot for a major refit on the wings.
I
> dropped off one bird and picked up another.  Because I was flying back to
> South Carolina I had a full fuel load, including a center line tank.
>
>
>
> We took off and raised the gear and flaps.  Within a few seconds the
master
> caution light came on and the anunceiator panel lit up like a Christmas
> tree.  The F4 diverts exhaust air over the leading edges of the wings for
> boundary layer control in slow-hi attitude flight.  There is a valve that
is
> supposed to open and close with the gear and leading edge slats.  Well the
> valve didn't close, dumping 800 degree air into the right wing.
>
>
>
> Upon realizing what happened (that is why they drill you on emergency
> procedures so much) I slapped down the gear handle and declared an
> emergency.  A BLC bleed air leak is a serious emergency.  There was no
> telling what was happening in the wing.  The sensors and wires are quickly
> burnt up in 800 degrees not allowing you to monitor anything further.
>
>
>
> We were diverted over the Great Salt Lake in the event we had to punch
out.
> We accessed (this is where it is nice to have a co-pilot in the back) the
> situation and decided that with the gear down and the hot air being
dumped,
> the emergency was stabilized.  We still needed to land ASAP.  However, we
> were too heavy.  Dumping fuel would take too long.
>
>
>
> The SOF (Supervisor of Flying), backseater and I decided that if we
dropped
> the centerline tank by time we got back to Hill we would be just under the
> heavyweight landing limit.
>
>
>
> I did a 180 to check for boats, and punched off the tank.  I never saw it
> but the backseater watched it fall into the lake.  We calculated the
> approach to be about 220 knots and touchdown around 180.  At that speed I
> was concerned with the arrestor cable breaking.  If that happened it could
> cause the airplane to run off the runway.  But, we were too heavy for
brakes
> and drag chute, so it was the cable.
>
>
>
> There is something about landing with an emergency.  You become damn good
> all you senses are wording overtime.  The approach and touchdown were
> picture perfect.  The wheels hit about 300 feet short of the cable, nose
> gear came down and we got a good catch.  The cable held.  Within 1000 feet
> we were stopped and the fire trucks were waiting.  You should have seen
the
> inside of that wing.  It was a mess.
>
>
>
> John
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Roy Coates" <roy@flightlab.liv.ac.uk>
> To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
> Sent: Friday, July 18, 2003 10:59 AM
> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] don't golf on an AFB
>
>
> > On Fri, 18 Jul 2003, Justin Messenger wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Ok John,
> > >
> > > I want to hear the story!
> > >
> >
> > I was thinking that myself.
> >
> > fess up!
> >
> >
> > Roy.
> >
> >
> >
>
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