BRAVO Zulu - United States, Air Force - Brief Article

Approach, Jan, 2001

VP-62

Cdr. Mike Preas
LCdr. Scott Willower
LCdr. Mike Upton
AEC Fred Schultz
AE1 Mike Hopper

During the initial descent from 17,000 feet for approach into NAS Jacksonville, Lt. Willower (PPC)and his P-3 crew disconnected the autopilot and leveled at 12,000 feet. It was immediately apparent the aircraft's elevator trim was binding and appeared to be stuck in a cruise configuration (approximately 2 units nose down). This resulted in an extreme nose-down condition, requiring significant nose-up control inputs to maintain level flight. The crew made sure the autopilot was disengaged and tried to free the trim wheel.

During a descent to 3,000 feet over the airfield, the crew declared an emergency and entered the terminal area. Following a slow flight check to determine how the aircraft would perform in the landing configuration, they decided to conduct an emergency, no-flap landing at NAS Cecil Field on runway 18 (which is 12,000 feet long). The nose-up force required at approach speed was estimated to be more than 75 pounds.

They flew a 10-mile, straight-in, visual approach and made a successful emergency landing. Postflight maintenance revealed a severely frayed elevator-trim cable in the port horizontal stabilizer. The cable was so frayed and tangled that it immobilized the elevator trim wheel.

HSL-49

LCdr. William Boggs
LCdr. Michael Hammond
AW2 Eric Sohne

While embarked in USS Hewitt (DD 966), the crew of Red Stinger 107, LCdr. Boggs, LCdr. Hammond and AW2 Sohne, had an in-flight hydraulic leak during deck landing qualifications. Staying calm and maintaining control of the aircraft, they quickly completed the required NATOPS emergency steps and set up for a hydraulic-boost-off approach to the ship. Despite very heavy control forces and a disabled Stability Augmentation System (SAS), LCdr. Boggs effected a safe recovery onboard Hewitt. The flight crew's quick response and outstanding teamwork were instrumental in averting a potential mishap. They were selected as AIRPAC's Safety Pros of the Week.

BZs require an endorsement from the nominating squadron's CO and the appropriate CAG, wing commander or MAG commander. In the case of helo dets, the CO of the ship will suffice. A squadron zapper and a 5-by-7 inch photo ot the entire crew should accompany the BZ nomination.

We can use digital photos, but we will need a large file: at least 5-by-7 inches at 300 dpi. If you save them in JPG format, this will reduce the file size and make it easier to e-mail. If your digital camera won't support this requirement, you'll need to shoot regular film. Don't try to include the people and the whole aircraft. Shoot a close-up of the subjects, and send a separate image of your squadron aircraft if you like. Please include a squadron telephone number so we can call with questions.