Pilot safety: award of distinction

Capt Busch was the wingman of a two-ship of F-16CG close air support fighters training in the north Utah Test and Training Range. Thirty minutes into the flight, just as Capt Busch's flight checked in with the Forward Air Controller-Airborne (FAC-A), the aircraft warning systems indicated a problem with the oil system. As he called a knock-it-off for the flight and turned towards Wendover Airport, Capt Busch analyzed the situation as an engine lube low condition. With the knowledge that the engine may have impending failure due to oil starvation, Capt Busch immediately started a climb to achieve altitude suitable for gliding with a flamed-out engine into Wendover. Once the aircraft was in a safe gliding position, Capt Busch focused his efforts on the flame-out approach while simultaneously coordinating with Wendover traffic and ground crews for the imminent emergency landing. His communication efforts were complicated due to an inoperative VHF radio. Capt Busch worked with his flight lead to relay information to the crash crews awaiting his arrival. After flying a flawless flame-out approach, Capt Busch landed 500 feet down the runway, on speed, and was able to stop the heavyweight aircraft on the short Wendover runway (8,000 feet is the minimum required for F-16 aircraft). Due to Capt Busch's earlier coordination, the crash crews were able to respond immediately to the emergency and secure the aircraft safely. The entire situation amazingly spanned less than 4 minutes from first indication to engine shutdown in the chocks. Upon inspection of the aircraft engine, maintenance technicians found that the engine was losing oil through a bad main engine control shaft seal when RPM was above 85 percent. The engines lube low level is displayed to the pilot when the engine oil levels drop below 40 percent of capacity. The aircraft had lost at least 60 percent of the total oil capacity within 30 minutes of a planned hour and a half flight. Without Capt Busch's quick reactions, expert procedural knowledge, and professional flying skills, the engine would have failed due to oil starvation. Capt Busch's actions prevented the loss of an Air Force weapons system and a national asset.

Capt James W. Busch, 4th Fighter Sqdn., 388th Fighter Wing, Hill AFB, Utah

COPYRIGHT 2004 U.S. Department of the Air Force
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group