[Broker]

In 1975-6 Oriskany was cruising near Subic Bay, Philippines. I was inbound to the ship flying my C-1A COD for VRC-50 based on Cubi Piont. An A-4 had just crashed near the ship and we flew over the oil slick on our approach for landing.

Later, I discover the pilots name was Bruce, like mine. His his death was avoidable. The problem was that the landing gear wouldn't go down. He went to shore and NAS Cubi Point wouldn't let him land on their field. He went back to the ship to punch out, but the system failed. He attempted an inverted high speed bail out and the A-4 flamed out. The crash was watched from Vultures Row on board Oriskany.

Many people died keeping the peace. God Bless them all and the good ship USS Oriskany.

[bert]

I once wittnessed an A4 land gear up on a foamed runway at Cubi point. Slick as a ribbon the pilot eased into the foam and skidded to a stop without incident.


I used to fly the Cubi Point aero club T34 in the pattern with a C-5A doing touch and goes. It was tight, I mean really tight.