OSS aids pilot in peril

  • Published
  • 27th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (ACCNS) --   The 27th Operations Support Squadron Airfield Operations Flight here proved once again why they were named the best in Air Combat Command this time, by coming to the aid of a civilian pilot who was just minutes from running out of fuel in nasty New Mexico weather.

The a civilian aircraft, flown by Dr. George Carlson, struck a power line near the Clovis Municipal Airport while trying to land, said Capt. Nathaniel Downing, the airfield operations flight commander.

When the pilot hit the power line it caused damage to his radio transponder, Captain Downing said. He could receive messages but he was unable to transmit them.

After several attempts to land at the Clovis Airport, the pilot was redirected to the base.

At approximately 11 p.m. I received a phone call from the command post, requesting permission for a civilian aircraft to land at Cannon, said Col. Lee Wight, 27th Operations Group commander.

Dr. Carlson said after his first approach he was unable to get lined up for a second. I was going to keep trying until I got it right, or ran out of fuel, he said.

Colonel Wight said when he arrived he observed the radar track of the aircraft beginning another approach to Clovis Municipal as it again missed its approach.

I told the radar controller and tower controller to attempt contact every minute on every frequency Dr. Carlson could possibly be on, said the colonel. As the pilot began a turn to the west, leaving Clovis Municipal, he finally made voice contact with our tower stating I hear you now, but its the first time Ive heard you.

I was very relieved when I was able to hear them again, Dr. Carlson said.

The radar controllers immediately began guiding the pilot to Cannon because the weather was slightly better and Cannon has radar approach capability, but the pilot again lost the ability to transmit.

Losing radio contact scared me until the controllers asked me to reply by transponder, the fact that I could still communicate was a relief, said Dr. Carlson.

Staff Sgt. Richard Wickencamp, tower supervisor, was asked to turn the airfield lights on to their fullest intensity.

We were hoping hed see the lights through a break in the clouds, he said.

Dr. Carlson said that he flew as low as he felt he could and finally broke out of the clouds and saw the runway lights.

I was looking for those for a long time, to say I was relieved is an understatement, Dr. Carlson said.

The aircraft began a rapid descent from 7,000 feet and disappeared from radar over the approach lights, Colonel Wight said.

The radar controllers were able to vector the pilot down minutes before he ran out of fuel, said Captain Downing.

Col. Robert Yates, 27th Fighter Group commander praised the controllers efforts.

They did a great job bringing a disoriented pilot down safely, said Colonel Yates. Our controllers spared no effort and showed great skill as they saved a precious human life. Their actions were truly heroic.