Quick thinking by three artisans at
the NAVAIR Depot North Island Test Line saved a multi-million
dollar fighter aircraft from being destroyed. Joseph Rabon, an
aircraft systems inspector, was running high power on an F/A-18D
aircraft when he heard an explosion. “I looked outside and
saw the ground crew reacting rather fast. Willie (Hillsman) and
Willy (Tuscano) did what they were supposed to do,” he said.
Hillsman and Tuscano, are both aircraft mechanics.
Tuscano, the lead check on the engine, noticed smoke and fire
coming from the bay door. At the same time, Hillsman gave Rabon the
figure eight sign for a fire and to shut down the engine. Then
Hillsman ran to get the fire bottle, and Tuscano put out the fire
while Rabon was still in the cockpit.
Rabon said that the fire was quickly extinguished and the
aircraft didn’t sustain any further damage. “The
aircraft fire light in the cockpit didn’t come on. The fire
was out in a matter of seconds,” he said.
“Had this accident happened while in flight, there is no
telling what would have happened,” said Rabon.
“It’s possible that the pilot would have had to bail
out, and the aircraft would have crashed.”
According to Rabon, the Hornet’s power transmission shaft
ruptured and damaged the engine fuel lines, the oil tank, and the
variable exhaust nozzle actuator. Once the depot’s
Engineering Department assessed the damage, the three artisans
repaired the Hornet.
“The team acted in a truly professional and well
orchestrated manner and saved the aircraft,” said Arthur
Cardone, the artisans’ supervisor. “The men returned
this aircraft to service, and it’s ready to fly again.”
He said that Rabon, Tuscano and Hillsman operate as a great team,
“and I keep them together because they are so
professional.”
This was the first time that anything like this has happened to
the three-man team. But quick thinking by all three saved the Navy
a valuable aircraft.
The three men received awards for their skill and their quick
action. NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technologies through the
efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation
technology experts. From aircraft and weapons development to
carrier launch and recovery; from sensors to real-time
communications to precision targeting; from aircraft and weapons
sustainment to state-of-the-art training; NAVAIR provides dominant
combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American
warfighter. [ANN Thanks Bill Bartkus, NAVAIR Depot North
Island]