Unnecessary OverWater

[Bill Bridges]

Had to shut down an engine about 200 miles out over the Atlantic at night because of a fire warning. We immediately did a 180 and were losing altitude. The other three got us back to Langley where we learned the problem was a defective fire warning system. But we had emptied two bottles of extinguisher into that engine, so it wasn't going to run again for a while.

In SE Asia we would get a Fire Warning from time to time in the UH-1s. Normally it was a false alarm caused by the heat from that tropical paradise. We were so jaded that every time we would get a Fire Alarm we'd have the CE lean out and check to see if we were burning.

[Gil Buettner]

Had to shut down an engine about 200 miles out over the Atlantic at night because of a fire warning. We immediately did a 180 and were losing altitude. The other three got us back to Langley where we learned the problem was a defective fire warning system. But we had emptied two bottles of extinguisher into that engine, so it wasn't going to run again for a while.

[Scott Dyer HPN/NY]

Do tell?

I'm pretty sure Steph is referring to her engine out landing at Kingston/Ulster (20N), a nasty little field for that type of activity. She described it on Avsig at the time, and I shake my head whenever I fly over that field.

[Terry Carraway]

Do tell?

[Stephanie Belser]

Just being a devil's advocate, how many of us have had a cruise flight engine failure?

*raises hand*

[Randy Sohn]

read and assimilate the teachings of JD

Thomasina, sure was great to see someone here mention John!

best, randy

[Randy Sohn]

used to cross the Big Pond at 9000 eastbound and 10,000 going west

Yup - chuckle!

best, randy (a "Buc-buc-buhgwhhhaackkkkk" squawk from the chicken here)

[Randy Sohn]

Never been to Wake

First time I ever went into Wake was when I was flying as CP on a VC-54D (one of the VIP bitds we had at Offutt AFB at Omaha), been try'n to recall if that was where that shipwreckage was just off-shore?

best, randy

[Gil Buettner]

Gilmore, duz that altitude make you feel better? All I ever worried 'bout was the last 50 feet or so.

best, randy

Sorry for the tardy reply - I haven't been here much lately.

I used to cross the Big Pond at 9000 eastbound and 10,000 going west, until a guy in a Cessna lost his engine mid-lake and went in about four miles offshore from Ludington. Pilot lived, three pax perished. So I started adding altitude.

Depending on wind, I figured there was probably 10 minutes or so when I could not make shore if the engine quit. To answer Scott, going around really did add a lot of time, and I had a well-maintained, relatively fast Bonanza, and carried a raft and wore a flotation device. Yes, I know that survival was questionable. I once asked a Coast Guard pilot how long it would take from Traverse City to look for me in the middle of the lake, and I didn't like the answer.

Now that I am older, I find I have a lot more time to go places. Mostly now I take the Badger car ferry or drive around.

[Randy Sohn]

On one of the trips we also stopped at Kwaj. Never been to Wake. I did Kadena, Anderson and Subic also. All in the mighty B707-323C, one of my favorite airplanes.

Chuckle, chuckle, sounds like one of those MAC/MATS jet powered contractors. All we had in the MN ANG were those ex-Travis AFB (Pacific Division) C-97A's, sure concur with the comment - lotta water out there crossing the oceans. Still recall the comment/story about Wake Island and the shark "Mag Check Charlie". He'd lie in the water off the end of the ruway there and listen for a rough engine and then, if he heard a questionable one, quick swim around to the water off the departure end of the runway and wait for the ditching!

best, randy

[Bill Bridges]

I did the KSSU-PHIK trip once in the DC8. From HIK, we did a few trips to Kwaj and Wake before returning. Lots of ocean out there...

On one of the trips we also stopped at Kwaj. Never been to Wake. I did Kadena, Anderson and Subic also. All in the mighty B707-323C, one of my favorite airplanes.

[Larry sreyoB]

I made a couple of those KSUU to PHIK trips enroute to that tropical paradise in SE Asia. ROFL

I did the KSSU-PHIK trip once in the DC8. From HIK, we did a few trips to Kwaj and Wake before returning. Lots of ocean out there...

[Bill Bridges]

Likewise, try'na think now if there was another one or so? Boeing C-97, just past ETP between Honolulu (Hickham)and San Fran (Travis).

best, randy

I made a couple of those KSUU to PHIK trips enroute to that tropical paradise in SE Asia. ROFL

[Randy Sohn]

My ........(Not a very dramatic story, I'm afraid)

Likewise, try'na think now if there was another one or so? Boeing C-97, just past ETP between Honolulu (Hickham)and San Fran (Travis).

best, randy

[Larry sreyoB]

My only engine shutdown was over water--the Indian Ocean, at about 3am.

We bumped the power up a little on the other three engines (DC8-72) and, four hours later, arrived Singapore on-time, and under burn!

Turned out it was just a bad pressure sender; nothing wrong with the engine. The mechanic deferred it and the airplane, and new crew, continued on to Tokyo (Yokota AFB) while we enjoyed our Singapore layover.

(Not a very dramatic story, I'm afraid)