FR "exclusive" - Henderson International Airport Tipped to Retain Name

23-06-03 NZST | New Zealander

[shaggy eel]

Air ordeal described
[http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2549103a6003,00.html]
24 June 2003
By JOHN MYERS [Manawatu Evening Standard]

Thirty-three Linton Army engineers kept their cool last night while their RNZAF Hercules crew handled one of the worst scenarios in the book - fire in the air.

The engine fire at 27,000ft on the way home to Ohakea from the Solomon Islands was one of the most serious emergencies in 35 years of RNZAF Hercules flying.

The passengers are mainly 2 Engineer Regiment soldiers, coming home after month-long Exercise Tropic Twilight. Others came home on Saturday.

Flight Lieutenant Greg Caie, formally recognised for his handling of an aircraft emergency in East Timor five years ago, diverted 180km to New Caledonia and landed on three engines.

Squadron Leader Tony Davies, acting commander of RNZAF 40 Squadron, told the Manawatu Standard this morning he'd not heard of a Hercules engine fire in 17 years with the squadron.

"It's one of the worst things that could happen, especially with passengers on board and out in mid-ocean," he said.

"The passengers stayed very calm, nobody was hurt, and I understand they praised their aircrew - said the loadmaster kept them very well informed."

Sq Ldr Davies said the emergency started with liquid being seen flowing from an engine cover.

The engine was shut down, but moments later "a bright orange glow" was seen on the alloy engine cover.

Flt Lt Caie triggered a fire extinguisher and began a swift descent and diversion to New Caledonia.

A second fire extinguisher was needed before, as the big transport came down through 22,000ft, the glow disappeared. The three-engined flight to the French airfield at New Caledonia was uneventful.

Sq Ldr Davies said another Hercules would be flying to New Caledonia today with a replacement engine and everything needed to investigate the incident and complete the repair.

"This had the potential to end up very serious, but the crew was confident of a safe outcome," he said.

[New Zealander]

There was a bit of debate over which flight would be the best on to be on...

First flight:
Get home early
Less likely to feel the effects of "New Zealand C-130 Maintenance Manual 2, volume III, appendix A: Lame Excuses for the Troops as to Why we Can't Take Off" (and we had that in mind well before any engine fires)
the only confirmed flight plan at that stage: certainty of flight plan: Land at a civilian airport, no stopping on the way
No participation in the post ex clean-up.

Second flight:
More time in the sun
more pay
more leave offered to RF (four days instead of three)
less time on exercise in Waiberia (Waiouru) for some pers
less crowding on the flight - more sleeper stretchers available

And now this settles it - unless you had someone to return to, or some business to attend to, the second flight was it.
Even more pay, an extra stamp in the passport, more time in the sun - AND A ROLLARCOSTER RIDE! And I missed it!