Interview with Denny Fitch

[kell490]

I hadn't seen this interview before with Denny Fitch the pilot who landed the DC-10 using the throttles only 1989. He goes into more detail about that day and after the crash. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OPu0chBQeUk

[joeyb747]

...Denny Fitch the pilot who landed the DC-10 using the throttles only 1989.

Minor correction: Capt. Al Haynes was in command of UA232. Capt. Fitch was a check airman who was actually a passenger on the flight catching a ride back to Chicago before the uncontained failure of the #2 engine. Capt. Fitch presented himself in the cockpit to offer his assistance, and went to work operating the throttles while Capt. Haynes and F/O Bill Records wrestled the DC-10 to the runway at Sioux City. It was easier for Capt. Fitch to operate the #1 and #3 throttles, as #2 throttle was jammed, and couldn't be retracted to idle. Dudley Dvorak was the F/E on the flight. During final approach, F/E Dvorak gave Capt. Finch his seat, and he took the jumpseat.
All four crewmen that were in  the cockpit survived the crash.

[kell490]

If you watch the video he explains that Capt Haynes just moved the control column which had no effect even though Capt Haynes kept flying like that just in case there was some way it gave them little more control. Engine #2 had exploded so it wasn't even running so I don't think they even cared about that throttle. The 3 of them working together were able to navigate to the airport, but Fitch as he said in the interview flew around in circles several times in each direction to try and get the hang of flying it with the engines mostly to the right but they were able to make a full 360 left. He goes into detail on how it flew up and down several times and each time they descended lower how it took large amounts of throttle change to get it to change direction. Also while he was recovering in the hospital they tried to recreate the same flight in the simulator and after several crashes without even getting to the airport he was able to help them on the phone giving them tips on how to fly it. They eventually were able to get it to the airport, but were not able to land it.  It's amazing that they were able to do what they did I could see if one were to roll little too far in one directions it would just roll over and they would be out of control. Also he spoke about how he had a tough time dealing with the knowing the people around where he was sitting died. It's a very good interview it's defiantly worth watching.

[joeyb747]

The 3 of them working together were able to navigate to the airport,

That was my point. It was a team effort, and an amazing one at that. The outcome could have, and should have, been much worse. They had an amazing crew that day. 185 people survived that crash because of the efforts of that team.