C.R. Terror prangs a Piper

Mobility Forum, May/Jun 2000

"Before taxi complete, Boss, but I think we may have a problem," Sammy's concern was genuine, as he spied a small aircraft off to the left of the camouflaged cargo carrier. "We have to be very careful on the taxi out. If we use any extra power, we're gonna blow that puddle jumper over!"

"No problem, Sammy, those little beasts can really fool you. They're actually very stable ya know," simpered the Silver-tongued Fox. "Besides, we've got to get over to the hammerhead and run this engine so's we can take off within our window. Now clear me right and we're off."

"Boss, easy on the power!" Sam pleaded. "Our jet blast is going to annihilate that little airplane!" But the Tunnel-visioned Titan never heard the caution. Concentrating only on getting the aircraft over to the hammerhead, he shoved up the throttles three-fourths the way to the stops, blowing dust and debris everywhere. The crunching sound was barely audible in the cockpit of the streaking Starlifter as it rocketed into a right turn.

"Reach Heaviest 859, tower. Taxi clearance rescinded. Hold your position while we verify reports of dual aircraft movement in your area. Seems a Piper has begun to taxi without clearance."

"You see, Sammy m'boy, some people just don't use common sense." The Confident Commander commented, "Never even considered other aircraft. Probably in a real rush of some sort, got behind the power curve, ya know. "This sort a stuff happens every single day"

"Um, Boss?" The Ready Right-seater began, "The only aircraft anywhere near us appears to be the unmanned Piper I warned you about, and it's lying on its side".

The siren of the base commander's staff car, now rapidly approaching, stirred the Mental Midget's first conscious thought of the day. "Now I suppose they'll try to call this a crew delay," C.R. moaned as he contemplated another crew-restless night.