//------------------------------// // Elaborate Schemes // Story: Time To Be Awesome // by Split Scimitar //------------------------------// “Mayday, mayday, mayday! Arrow 323MQ, over Helendale. Engine failure! Need the field! Mayday, mayday, mayday! Arrow 323MQ, engine failure.” “Arrow 323MQ, Victorville tower. Understand you’re gliding out with an engine failure. There is a TFR in effect from the surface to 15,000 within a 15 NM radius of the field. Can you try for Apple Valley?” “We can try, but despite your TFR, your field is our best option.” “Roger. If you need to land here, just let me know.” “Arrow 3MQ.” “Well, you’re gonna have to get them without me. We have an emergency aircraft that may need to break our TFR for their sake. Sorry, you’re just gonna have to go.” “Okay. Do what you need to do.” “Attention all line staff. Attention all line staff.” I call on ground and Unicom. “Possible emergency aircraft gliding with an engine failure. Standby for further instructions.” “Victorville Ground, Angel rescue team ready on call.” “Rescue team, Roger.” Checking the time, I decide to make a phone call. The phone rings a few times before picking up. “FAA Riverside FSDO, Roger speaking.” “Hi Roger, this is Split Scimitar. I’m the tower controller at Victorville, under the Blue Angels TFR. There is an emergency aircraft that just experienced an engine failure and is gliding down. He says he can make Apple Valley, but he’d rather land here.” “Okay. Well, the purpose of your TFR is to protect the high speed operations of Blue Angels practices, and it’s been hot for the past two days.” “Yes sir, but the Angels right now are currently on the ground.” “Okay. Um, let me get my supervisor and see what he says. As it stands now, there is no undue harm, since it sounds like the airspace is completely empty.” “It is.” “Okay. I’ll be right back.” He says putting me on hold. I then check the radios and see if anyone’s called. “Arrow 323MQ, Victorville.” “3MQ.” He responds quickly. “Say altitude.” “323MQ is descending through 7,800.” “Roger.” “Hello?” Another voice calls over the phone. “Hi, this is Split Scimitar running the Victorville tower.” “Hi, Clarence from the FAA. Um, is this emergency aircraft currently inside your TFR?” “Um, no. Looks like he’s just outside it at this time.” I then pause as his target tracks towards us. Just as I finish that sentence, I get a, “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, Arrow 323MQ unable Apple Valley. We need your field.” “Scratch that.” I say to Clarence, “he’s heading for us right now.” “Okay. Well, we will need to talk to him. As well as you. When can you interview?” “Anytime within the next day or two.” “Okay. Can I have a phone number we can contact?” “Sure. Ready?” “Yes.” “(xxx) xxx-xxxx. And the name is Split Scimitar, or Max.” “(xxx) xxx-xxxx. And Max.” “That’s correct.” “Thank you. We’ll contact you tomorrow.” “Thank you.” “Thank you. Good day.” He says hanging up. “Arrow 323MQ, are you better set up for runway 17 or 21?” “3MQ is going for 17.” “Arrow 323MQ, Roger. Runway 17, cleared to land. When able, souls and fuel.” “17, cleared to land, Arrow 323MQ.” “Rescue team, ground.” “Go for rescue team.” “The emergency aircraft is 3 mile final for 17. Expect E2 or E3 entry.” “Rescue team, roger.” I then decide to make a call from tower phone. “911, what’s your emergency?” “Hi, we have an aircraft with an engine fire approaching the Victorville Airport. We’ll need fire, an ambulance and some police.” “Okay, fire trucks, an ambulance and some police. They’ll be on their way shortly.” “Thank you.” “Yep. Good day.” The operator says hanging up. “Rescue team, ground.” “Go for Rescue.” “Emergency services have been notified. Is the accident aircraft at a stop?” “Affirm.” “Roger. Cleared onto runway 17. Let me know how they’re doing. I didn’t get a fuel or soul count.” “Roger, cleared onto 17, Rescue team.” I then text Rosalina and Rainbow: “who’s driving?” “Rosalina.” Dash replies. “Okay. The emergency aircraft had to land here because of terrain. Emergency services are on their way.” “Shit. How bad is it?” “Don’t know yet. They landed successfully, but since it was an engine failure, we’re not gonna know what’s happening. If necessary, keep your parents stalled and away from the airfield. I’ll let you know.” “K cool.” “Anyone on Victorville Unicom?” I then switch to ground, “anyone else on frequency?” Spitfire then runs into the tower. She bursts in and exclaims, “What the hell is going on??” “In-flight engine failure. Couldn’t make Apple Valley for terrain.” “What about our TFR?” “Called the FSDO, they’re gonna need interviews. Since it was to keep the airspace from being occupied by rogue aircraft, I doubt they’re gonna build too much of a case. The penetration didn’t occur until they for certain couldn’t make Apple Valley, so they’ll probably plead “emergency deviation,” which since everyone was on the ground at the time, I’ll support.” “I’m glad they didn’t cause any trouble, but what is that going to mean for us?” “Is Angel 7 going to come back?” “No word from them. Normally they don’t unless the venue has to change.” “Okay. Well, obviously, 17/35 is closed. We can do our best with 3/21.” “Ground, Rescue team.” “Rescue team, Ground.” “2 souls, and 2 1/2 hours of fuel. No injuries. But the prop is badly bent.” “Rescue team, Roger.” I say writing those down. “Um, can I speak to the pilot?” “Yeah. One sec.” “Victorville tower, pilot of Arrow 323MQ.” “Arrow 323MQ, Victorville Ground. Nice work getting down safely. I’ll be down in about 10-15 minutes to tow the aircraft if able. Is the aircraft secure?” “Yes. Our prop is pretty mangled, and there’s blood all over the cowling, but we’re all okay.” “Okay, good to hear. I’ll ask for some more information. Emergency services and the FSDO are sending people here, so get your contact information ready.” “Roger that.” “Ground, Rescue team.” “Rescue team, ground.” “All sounds good here then. You can tow her clear.” “No problem. I’ll bring out a tug and we can tow the plane off the ramp. Emergency services are en route, so I have to let them in.” With Rosalina gone, I ask Spitfire if she can take the tower so I can tow the aircraft clear. “It’s fine. Just glad they’re down safely.” “No one should call, but if they do, call me.” “Will do.” “Thank you.” I say as I exit the tower. I grab a tug and tow bar then run to the main gate. The gate opens in time for a few police cars to roll in. The lead car then asks, “you heading down to the aircraft?” “Yes sir, I’m the property owner.” “Alright. We’ve got a position from Air Traffic Control.” “Okay. I’m heading out to move the aircraft once it’s cleared.” He responds with a thumbs up before he and his colleague head out to the runway. I then close the gate and head out to the accident airplane. The police are already interrogating the pilot and passenger. Rescue team is keeping their distance but does want to know if they should stay. “Holy Cow!” The passenger exclaims. “We hit a vulture at 11,500!” “A vulture?” “Yeah. Too big to be an eagle.” “Nice. Um, does your pilot know that he ought to fill out a wildlife strike report?” “I’m sure he will.” “And based on the damage, he will need a report to the NTSB, because of the prop damage, looks like some of it sheared off.” “Yeah it did. It was kind of dizzying gliding down with an unbalanced prop.” “I can imagine.” “Alright, we have all the questions we need. You can tow the airplane clear of the runway.” “Sounds good. We’ll have to leave it though. The FSDO is sending people to interview, and I’m sure the NTSB will send people too.” “Alright.” A few minutes later, I run to the gate to meet the FSDO employees, guiding them out to the runway where the aircraft is now parked. “What happened?” Roger asks the pilot. “Bird strike. Sheared the prop and crippled us. We tried for Apple Valley because we knew about the TFR, but we wouldn’t’ve made it because of terrain.” “Okay. Um, where did the birdstrike occur?” “Over Helendale, roughly.” “Okay. The TFR was up and active for the past two days. Why didn’t you plan on flying over Apple Valley in the first place?” “We had heard there was an aircraft doing approaches into Apple Valley, so we wanted to keep their airspace clear. We were also heading towards Palmdale anyway, so we were trying to head into the narrow band of airspace between the TFR and the MOA.” “Okay. Well, Max, what can you tell us?” “I heard their first mayday call, asked if they could make Apple Valley, which they tried to accept, but eventually it became clear to them that they wouldn’t clear upcoming terrain, and at around the time of our phone call, they turned immediately towards the field. There was no disruption to any activities, as the airspace was completely vacant at the time of the initial mayday call. I did notify the rescue team of the possibility of them coming in, so as soon as they landed, we made sure they were okay.” “Thank you for that. Sir, because you did violate an active TFR, I am going to have to scold you, but I’ll just remind you of two things: 1. Go ahead and fill out a NASA report within the next week and we’ll call you. 2. What could you have done better on this flight?” “I could have done my research on the airspace and planned an alternate route instead.” “That’s correct. In case the NTSB wants interviews, can we have a name and number to call?” “Sure. The name is #### and the phone number (xxx) xxx-xxxx.” “Thank you. You can expect a call anytime within the next week. Same to you, Max.” “Thank you. Is it safe and legal to move the wreckage now that you have some information?” “You can move it clear of the runway.” “Okay. We’ll do that. Do you have any idea when the NTSB will send someone?” “No. Sorry.” “No problem. As long as they have my contact information so they can get buzzed in.” “Sure. Thank you for your cooperation. We shouldn’t call you unless the NTSB determines other factors. Your testimony is enough. Since you had an emergency beyond your control occur, the worst we can build a case for is improper cross-country procedures since you should’ve known about the TFR and didn’t take any precautions.” “Okay. Thank you.” “Have a good rest of your day, gentlemen.” Roger says as he and Clarence head out. Immediately, I hook up the tug and tow bar, and with the pilot onboard and his passenger riding with me, I tow the aircraft off runway 17 and announce on the handheld, “Ground, Tug 1.” “Go ahead.” “Anyone say anything on frequency?” “Nope.” “Okay. Runway 17/35 is clear, swept, reopened.” “Roger that. We have one more fuel period before the day ends. Angel 3 will be online in about a couple hours.” “Roger that.” I park the plane in the roundabout to keep the taxiways clear. The pilot then makes a phone call after I park the airplane. I drop them off at the terminal Fat Albert’s parked and direct them to a computer, telling them, “Go ahead and create your wildlife strike and NASA reports. When you submit them, go ahead and meet me in tower.” “Will do.” I head over to the tower and step back in. Spitfire is waiting for me. “What took you so long? We should’ve been in the air an hour ago.” “Sorry. The FAA and Victorville police did some on-site interviews. Apparently they hit a vulture at altitude.” “Whoa! Nice.” “My thoughts exactly.” “Well, let’s see if we can get anything else done. On your mark.” “Cool.” She says as she runs back to the line. “Attention all line staff, this is the final run of the day. Blue Angels final run for the day.” As linemen shout and prepare aircraft, I get an unexpected call. “Victorville Tower, Angel 3 over Hesperia, landing.” “Angel 3, Victorville tower, welcome. Runway 21, enter left downwind, should pick you up on radar momentarily.” “Left traffic 21, Angel 3.” “Ground, Angel 1.” “Angel 1, Ground.” “Status on Angel 3?” “Angel 3, say position.” “At the 395-15 interchange.” “Angel 3, roger.” “Angel 8, Angel 3 is about 12 miles south.” “Roger. Angel flight ready to go.” “Angel Flight, runway 35, taxi via C C1.” “C, C1, 35, Angel Flight.” “Angel Flight, will ship 3 be in formation with you?” “Affirm. Angel 8 was a substitute until its return.” “Roger. You can monitor tower 118.35, he’ll call you.” “18.35, Angel Flight.” “Ground, Fat Albert.” “Fat Albert, Ground.” “Departure to San Bernardino with Flight following.” “Fat Albert, Roger. On request.” “Fat Albert, runway 21. Taxi via C A. Joshua Departure 124.55, squawk 1771.” “24.55, C A, 21, 1771, Fat Albert.” “Fat Albert, Roger. Angel Flight, remain with a 15 NM radius of the field at or below 15,000 to remain within your TFR, runway 35, cleared for takeoff.” “Angel Flight, cleared for takeoff 35.” “Tower, Angel 3, left downwind.” “Angel 3, are you joining the formation or landing?” “Angel 3, we’re actually joining formation.” “Angel 3, proceed to join formation at your discretion. Remain within a 15 NM radius of the field from the surface to 15,000 to remain within your TFR.” “15 miles, 15,000. Formation my discretion, Angel 3.” “Fat Albert, contact tower 118.35.” “Fat Albert.” “Tower, Fat Albert 21 via A.” “Fat Albert, Victorville tower. Runway 21, line up and wait.” “Line up and wait 21, Fat Albert.” “Angel 3, report joining the formation.” “Angel 3.” “Angel Flight, company Hercules departing runway 21 for San Bernardino. Remain north and west of midfield. Fat Albert, on departure, fly heading 160.” “Angel Flight.” “160, Fat Albert.” “Tower, Angel 3, now northwest of the big runway.” “Angel 3, roger. Fat Albert, runway 21, cleared for takeoff, on course departure approved.” “Cleared for takeoff 21, departure on course, Fat Albert.” “Fat Albert, contact Joshua Departure. Talk to you soon.” “Cya!” “Angel Flight, area restriction removed. The airspace is yours.”