Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 25, 2024 22:58:51 GMT 12
Airman’s Heroism Saves R.A.F. Plane From Crash
(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, July 6.
A 30-year-old Australian. Flying Officer Eric Basset, probably saved the life of General Sir Gerald Templer and everyone else aboard a Royal Air Force Hastings transport in Turkey on Wednesday, the “Daily Mail” said today.
He hung out of an open doorway with someone holding his ankles when the wrenched-off door jammed against the tailplane. . The aircraft was taking the Chief of the Imperial General Staff on a visit to Turkey.
The pilot. Flight Lieutenant Jock Graham, told the “Daily Mail” by telephone from Malatya. Turkey, of the tense 25 minutes between the door fl ying off and the emergency landing at Malatya.
“I was alone in the cockpit and the first I knew of the accident was when the aircraft suddenly went out of control," he said. “It began to porpoise violently, first zooming up and then diving down.
“I had to keep pulling the stick fight back and then pushing it right forward to counteract the 'porpoising'.
“Flying Officer Basset hung out of open doorway with somebody holding his ankles to find out the situation. By intercom he told me the door had jammed against the tailplane. I was afraid it might work loose, hit the elevator and take matters completely out of my hands.”
Flight Lieutenant Graham added: “I slowed down while Flying Officer Basset kept watch. We came down to about 140 knots and the up and down motion became less violent. The door fell off as we landed.”
General Templer, his staff officers and senior Turkish officers sat calmly strapped in their seats. General Templer congratulated Flying Officer Basset and other crew’ members after landing.
THE PRESS, 7 JULY 1956
(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, July 6.
A 30-year-old Australian. Flying Officer Eric Basset, probably saved the life of General Sir Gerald Templer and everyone else aboard a Royal Air Force Hastings transport in Turkey on Wednesday, the “Daily Mail” said today.
He hung out of an open doorway with someone holding his ankles when the wrenched-off door jammed against the tailplane. . The aircraft was taking the Chief of the Imperial General Staff on a visit to Turkey.
The pilot. Flight Lieutenant Jock Graham, told the “Daily Mail” by telephone from Malatya. Turkey, of the tense 25 minutes between the door fl ying off and the emergency landing at Malatya.
“I was alone in the cockpit and the first I knew of the accident was when the aircraft suddenly went out of control," he said. “It began to porpoise violently, first zooming up and then diving down.
“I had to keep pulling the stick fight back and then pushing it right forward to counteract the 'porpoising'.
“Flying Officer Basset hung out of open doorway with somebody holding his ankles to find out the situation. By intercom he told me the door had jammed against the tailplane. I was afraid it might work loose, hit the elevator and take matters completely out of my hands.”
Flight Lieutenant Graham added: “I slowed down while Flying Officer Basset kept watch. We came down to about 140 knots and the up and down motion became less violent. The door fell off as we landed.”
General Templer, his staff officers and senior Turkish officers sat calmly strapped in their seats. General Templer congratulated Flying Officer Basset and other crew’ members after landing.
THE PRESS, 7 JULY 1956
