Flight line safety: award of distinction

Combat Edge, Sept, 2004 by Steve Dujmovic, Nathan Oltmans, Dave Aragon, Matt Stanley, Todd Callahan, Ken Mickelson

As the lead aircraft during a two-ship training sortie to the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR), Captain Dujmovic's crew conducted ground ops and started engines normally. The aircraft was loaded with 100 bundles of RR-112 training chaff, 16 ALA-17 flares and 9 BDU-50 low-drag training weapons. All indications regarding engine operation, hydraulics and electrics appeared normal as the two aircraft prepared to taxi. During taxi, however, the crew experienced excessive vibrations when the brakes were applied. Although the hydraulics and anti-skid brake system of the B-52H indicated normal operation, the pilots stopped the aircraft in the hammerhead and called maintenance for help in correcting the problem in accordance with a warning in T.O. 1B-52H-1 for wheel shudder/brake chatter. Although the brakes tested normally, the crew elected to taxi back to the chocks for a brake pressure check with a maintainer on board and additional maintainers outside following the aircraft. As before, each time the brakes were applied during taxi the crew experienced excessive shudder and vibrations. The maintainers following the aircraft reported seeing smoke and hydraulic fluid pouring from one of the hydraulic lines associated with the aircraft's landing gear. Recognizing the great potential for fire when pressurized hydraulic fluid contacts hot brakes, the pilots brought the aircraft to an immediate stop and Captain Dujmovic ordered the crew to emergency ground egress the aircraft. The crew successfully egressed the aircraft after which it was turned over to maintenance. The aircrew's thorough knowledge of aircraft systems and keen judgment in a situation where "something just didn't feel right," prevented a bad jet from becoming airborne and resulted in the safe recovery of the aircraft. As a result of the aircrew's actions, no injuries were suffered while preventing potentially catastrophic damage to a valuable combat asset.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Capt Steve Dujmovic, 1Lt Nathan Oltmans, Capt Dave Aragon, Capt Matt Stanley, Maj Todd Callahan, 1Lt Ken Mickelson, 96th Bomb Sqdn., 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana