The Well Done AWARD

Flying Safety, June, 2001 by Chris A. Ader, Joseph R. Hudson

Presented for outstanding airmanship and professional performance during a hazardous situation and for a significant contribution to the United States Air Force Mishap Prevention Program.

On March 8, 2000, MSgt Chris A. Ader and TSgt Joseph R. Hudson responded to a request for assistance on F-15 aircraft 80-0054 for a left main landing gear malfunction. Electro/Environmental personnel had retracted the gear in an effort to troubleshoot an indication problem and the left gear would not extend. After several attempts at normal and emergency gear extension, the Aero Repair and Reclamation shop personnel were called out to assist. MSgt Ader and TSgt Hudson arrived on the scene and determined the left main gear had extensive damage to the up-latch hook support bracket, aft door drive rod and forward door drive rod. They summoned the fighter squadron production superintendent, briefed him on the incident and recommended further inspection of other wing aircraft. When failed up-latch support brackets were discovered on two other hangared aircraft, this immediately became an item of very high interest. MSgt Ader promptly contacted Safety, Quality Assurance, Maintenance Squadron supervision and both fi ghter squadron maintenance officers. After a quick brief on the possibility of landing gear not extending in either mode with such a bracket failure, it was determined that this required urgent action. MSgt Ader personally recommended all aircraft be held from takeoff at end-of-runway and those in chocks hold until inspected. A quick inspection revealed eight cracked brackets. On MSgt Ader and TSgt Hudson's recommendation. the 33 FW proceeded with a one-time inspection of all aircraft, discovering a total of 17 cracked brackets, some nearly at the point of total failure. Had this item remained undetected there is a high probability that one or more of the 17 airframes would have had a major gear malfunction, possibly leading to a Class A mishap. MSgt Ader and TSgt Hudson assisted in authoring a CAF-wide High Accident Potential message which was immediately sent informing other F-15 units of the pending failures. After a conference call with engineering, depot, ACC and the CAF, a three-phase, worldwide Urgent Action TCTO was issued, undoubtedly preventing a number of mishaps.

MSgt Ader and TSgt Hudson's extensive knowledge, teamwork and decisive actions averted the probable loss of multimillion dollar aircraft and possible loss of life.