PILOT: “Ground speed set at 480.”
WSO: “Okay, turn right to two-zero-three.” PILOT: “Steady two-zero-three.” WSO: “Okay, come one-half left and hold that.” PILOT: “Rawj.” WSO: “Clear your clock. After we hack, turn left two-zero-three and hold that ‘till we cross the target. Ready, ready — Hack!” PILOT: “My clock’s runnin’; I’m turning to two-zero-three…okay; steady on!” WSO: “We’ll cross the target at fifty-two seconds. Then climb straight ahead to 7,300’, switch to TAO, make a 45-degree-bank left turn to one-eight-five.” PILOT: “Okay …. There’s forty-five seconds ….” WSO: “The IR’s comin’ on. We should be over the target right now…. Okay, now start your climb to 7,300’ and switch to ….” (RADIO CALL ON DISTRESS CHANNEL) “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY! FANGO 45, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. 150 MILES WEST OF BOISE HAS A BIRDSTRIKE. MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY!” PILOT: “Mike, that’s Fred, and he’s in big trouble! Let's abandon this low-level, and I’m headin’ over that way right now; ‘coming to a 220 heading.” |
FANGO 43: “Salt Lake Center, Fango 43; 100 northwest of Boise.”
SALT LAKE: “Fango 43, Salt Lake, go ahead.” FANGO 43: “We just heard a Mayday from Fango 45, he’s about 150 west of Boise; reported a birdstrike. Can you see him and vector us over there to join up? He really needs our help.” SALT LAKE: “Fango 43, squawk ident. Radar contact 105 west of Boise.” FANGO 43: “Roger. He’s probably heading toward Boise; ‘should be around 250 knots.” SALT LAKE: “Okay Fango 43, I’ve got a 4300 squawk in that vicinity, bearing two-zero-zero for 21.” FANGO 43: “Okay, that should be him; thanks. When we join up, we’ll keep you advised." |
PILOT: “Salt Lake, Fango 43’s got a visual on a beacon; our 1:30 position about 8 miles.”
SALT LAKE: “Roger, Fango 43, that should be the other Fango.” PILOT: “Thanks Salt Lake, we’re joining up on him now and we’ll advise if we need any more help.” WSO: “Let’s try to raise Fred on the radio, I’m switching us over to Guard (243.0 mhz)…… okay, now see if he can hear us.” |
FANGO 43 to Fango 45: “Here’s the plan, Fred, as we’ve briefed before: we’ll bring you in for a straight-in approach-end arrestment at Mountain Home. We’ll have everything coordinated and it will be all set up. You just hang with us like you’re now doing. You okay with our plan?”
FANGO 45: “I’m with you Bill.” FANGO 43: “Okay then, we’ll take it nice and easy. You just keep flyin’ that good position you’ve got and we’ll bring you in. In the event your hook doesn’t catch the cable, I’ll gradually advance the power — you stay with me — and we’ll make a go-around, and come back around for another try. Nice and easy; no sudden moves. All right?” FANGO 45: “Roger.” |
PILOT: “Fred’s hanging in there just great. Anything we’ve forgotten?”
WSO: “No, we’ve gone through all the normal and emergency checklists, and we’re all set. I sure hope he stays in there, it’s getting’ pretty dark out here.” PILOT: “Yeah, you’re right. I’ll put nav lights on ‘dim-steady’.” FANGO 43: “How ya doin’, Fred?” FANGO 45: “I’m okay”. FANGO 43: “Okay, relax if you can! We’ll fly a long straight-in approach to Three-Zero and it will work out fine.” |
FANGO 43: “Okay Fred, you’re lookin’ good; we’re all lined up. Just hang in there and we’ll have you down.”
FANGO 45: “Okay.” PILOT: “Everything’s set, Mike, keep an eye on him; I’m concentratin’ on this approach; speed’s now set on 185.” WSO: “Roger that, he’s holding good.” APPROACH CONTROL: “Fango 43, cleared to land, the emergency equipment is standing by.” FANGO 43: “Rawj; gear down; Fred check three green.” FANGO 45: “Fango 45; gear down.” FANGO 43: “Fango 45, you’re lookin’ good.“ |
PILOT: “Beautiful! Man what a sight!” WSO: “Yeah, he’s caught the cable.” FANGO 43: “Okay, Fred; you’re on your own! Approach, Fango 43 is touch and go, request clearance back to Boise at seven thousand.” FANGO 45: “Thanks for your help, guys!” APPROACH CONTROL: “Fango 43, climb to seven thousand, squawk 4415, contact Boise Approach on 269.4.” FANGO 43: “Roger, seven thousand, and Boise on 269.4. Great work Fred.” PILOT: “Man, I’m exhausted!” WSO: “Me too; I hope they’re okay.” |