Bravo Zulu - mishap avoided at NAS Whiting Field - Brief Article

Approach, July, 2003

You can avoid a mishap if you remove one link in the chain of events--a fact 2ndLt. Kyle Roberts, a Marine Corps student aviator assigned to VT-3 at NAS Whiting Field, knows very well. He effectively removed that critical link and prevented a mishap, saving an aircraft and possibly a civilian maintenance pilot.

While serving as wheels watch during training, 2ndLt. Roberts observed a T-34C turn base for landing to the duty runway. The required "gear down and locked" call was made to the tower, but, upon rolling out of final, 2ndLt. Roberts noticed the gear was up. Not sure if the pilot intentionally was waiting to lower the gear during a simulated low-altitude power loss, 2ndLt. Roberts waited until it was evident the pilot intended to land. 2ndLt Roberts then initiated the wave-off lights and radio call, which the pilot followed. The aircraft later landed without incident.

The outstanding professionalism and attention to detail displayed by 2ndLt Roberts helped prevent a mishap.