EXCELLENCE IN AIRMANSHIP
reprinted from the MAC FLYER, April 1982
Major Brown and crew.
During a night heavyweight takeoff from Lajes Field, this 75th MAS crew experienced a very rude shock right after their C-5A accelerated passed "go speed."
Just as Major Brown raised the nose for liftoff, he and his crew heard a loud "bang" accompanied by a bright flash of light from the left side of the aircraft. A quick scan of the engine instruments revealed the number 2 engine's N1 and N2 were rolling back, the TIT had gone off-scale hot and the fuel-flow was off-scale high.
Maintaining aircraft control, Major Brown continued the takeoff, informed the crew of the situation and climbed straight ahead to pattern altitude. The primary concern of the crew now was to keep the 712,500-pound Galaxy climbing. To accomplish this, Major Brown ordered the gear up and the flaps left at 40 percent. To further complicate matters at this time, the tower informed the crew of the crippled C-5 that flames were coming from the number-2 engine. Confirmed by the troop compartment loadmaster, Major Brown ordered the engine shut down. Major Cantley, the copilot, pulled the number 2-fire handle and discharged the agent. Passing 800 feet AGL, the ailerons were streamlined and the rudder set at MIN Q.
With the number one priority of getting the
disabled Galaxy back on the ground as soon as possible, the crew worked together to ensure a
safe landing. Captain Davis, the jump seat pilot,
cleared the aircraft in the turns, monitored engine instruments and helped keep the runway in sight. TSgts Jenkins and Moulton, the flight engineers, maintained a scrupulous watch on the engine instruments, monitored the giant aircraft's overall performance and computed the necessary landing data. Captains Riewerts and Sanderson, the navigators, insured terrain clearance which was critical due to the aircraft's reduced performance and its close proximity to the island's high terrain. The loadmasters and the crew chiefs were also busy securing the cargo compartment, troop compartment and briefing the passengers. In all, this total crew effort resulted in a successful three-engine approach and landing.
Major Brown and his crew's superior airmanship, procedural knowledge and exceptional crew coordination were directly responsible for the safe recovery of a C-5 and all personnel during this extremely hazardous emergency.
Standing
Left to Right: TSgt Thomas M. Jenkins, FE; Capt Frank Sanderson Jr.,
Nav; Capt Kenneth H. Davis, CP; Capt Steven E. Riewerts, Nav; A1C
Jeffery W. Hermann, LM; A1C Peter A. Miller, Crew Chief.
Kneeling Left to Right: Maj Joseph R. Brown, Jr., AC; Maj Roger P.
Cantley, CP; SSgt Michael See, LM; TSgt Charles Moulton, FE;
MSgt Donald Williamson, LM.
