June 2012 - Indian Airforce

I
was a young Flying Officer posted to a Bison
Sqn, in one of the premier Air Force Bases
of the country. I was new to the fleet after
finishing my training on Hawk MK-132. After
completing my initial Dual Checks on the MiG-21,
I was cleared to fly solo.
It was a bright sunny day and I was authorised
to fly my sixth solo on type. After carrying out the
sortie as briefed to me, I initiated rejoin in time and
with adequate fuel, keeping in mind the traffic of
the seven flying units of the station. I asked the
radar controller for a GCA, he made me orbit over
a point 30 km from base, after confirming fuel
from me, to accommodate departure of a 4 ac
formation.
No. 1 of the 4 ac formation was asked to abort
take off due bird on R/W. He had rolled, hence
switched off on R/W. At this point of time, I was
asked to divert to my primary diversion. On
initiating diversion, I realised the fact that I had
not carried out a diversion before, and coupled
with fuel below thirsty fuel figure, a chill ran down
my spine. I was calming myself down and telling
myself not to panic. Things were going smoothly
and I was 50 km out of base, when I was informed
that I could turn back as the R/W was now clear.
Happily I turned back, thanking the Almighty as
there was nothing like landing at your home base.
A minute later while on inbound course,
to my horror, I was informed that the R/W was
blocked again and therefore I was to divert. (This
happened because the ambulance which was
following the CFT, while clearing off the R/W,
rammed into it, leading to fatal injuries to the MTD
of the ambulance and blocking the R/W). Cursing
everyone, I turned back. Looking at the fuel
gauge, I was unsure if I would be able to make it.
A slight amount of panic had crept into me. I told
myself not to panic, remembering my instructor’s
golden words, “if you panic, half the battle is lost”.
About 60 km short of my diversionary airfield,
my ‘450 litres remaining’ warning light started
flashing. Keeping my cool, I went over the ejection
procedure in my mind. I asked
for a direct vectoring for finals.
Considering the way fate had
been turning out, there still
were segments of luck that
had remained functional. nal.
To my relief and delight, I
found that the R/W in use
was along my track. All
warning lights related
to fuel had illuminated
except for ‘service
tank’ light. I touched
down with barely 150-
200 litres on board.
Following me were six
more aircraft from the
same base, all low on
fuel. “All is well that
ends well”! But the
lessons learnt that
day were:
Whenever
in an unfamiliar
situation, do not
panic.
Keep you
calm and continue
normally, rather than
doing something
stupid in haste.
Do not be in
a decision dilemma;
when you have initiated
a diversion continue
with it. In retrospect, I
should have continued
with the diversion at the
first instance, rather than
turning back for base, only
to be asked to divert once
more.
- Flt Lt Anoop SL
INDIAN AIR FORCE 2 0 1 2 J u n e Aerospace Safety 23