Quick thinking and calmness under pressure were recognised at RAF Wittering yesterday as a Babcock International pilot was presented with a special safety award.
In October 2018 Captain John Plummer, a civilian pilot with Babcock International, was on a routine flight in a Grob Tutor aircraft when he noticed an emerging engine fault. The fault quickly developed into a loss of power and a forced landing was needed.
The term ‘forced landing’ is used to describe a landing by an aircraft made outside of the original plan of the pilot. Knowing that a strong headwind meant the aeroplane might not reach the runway at RAF Wittering, Captain Plummer landed his aircraft in an open field to the east of the A1 dual carriageway.
Image By: Cpl Paul Robertshaw
Group Captain Howie Edwards, Commandant of No 6 Flying Training School (6FTS), presented Captain Plummer with an RAF Safety Centre Award and described the incident as a ‘perfect forced landing’. Captain Plummer was unharmed, the aircraft was undamaged and the topsoil in the field showed minimal signs that an aircraft had landed at all.
Image By: SAC Kim Waterson
Group Captain Edwards said: “Captain Plummer knew exactly what to do. A core tenet of 6FTS is that we are safe and memorable. Captain Plummer’s. professionalism was displayed throughout that incident and he has ensured that 6FTS continues to be just that.”
There are five flying units at RAF Wittering: 16 Squadron trains the next generation of RAF pilots, No 115 Squadron teaches qualified pilots to become instructors on the Grob Tutor, No 5 Air Experience Flight gives Air Cadets their first flying experiences, and there are two University Air Squadrons; Cambridge and London.
John Plummer is an experienced professional pilot and a former RAF Reservist, with many hours on the Grob Tutor. He was characteristically modest throughout the presentation and said: “It shouldn't be all about me, the way the Station responded and the support I received was superb.”
He went on to say that after the forced landing a precautionary medical check up showed his blood pressure was a little high, he went on to say: "I was not surprised, it had been quite a morning!"
The Babcock International pilots at RAF Wittering have several roles, which complement the work of their military colleagues. Principally, the Babcock pilots ensure the Grob Tutor aircraft are safe for use after maintenance and rigorously test each aircraft.
Group Captain Jo Lincoln is the Station Commander at RAF Wittering. She said: “This is about the whole team making our flying operations safe. Experienced and well-trained civilians, contractors and military personnel all working together to achieve a safe flying environment.”
