Captain Al Haynes flies west

I'm surprised that nobody on this forum noted the passing of Captain Al Haynes this last week. Captain Haynes was the pilot of the DC-10 that lost all flight controls when the tail engine failed and destroyed all three control systems. Captain Haynes brought cockpit resource management to the forefront using himself, his co-pilot, and a third pilot that was hopping a ride to fly the DC-10 to an emergency landing in Souix City, IA using nothing but throttles of the two remaining engines for control. Most of the passengers survived the landing with the plane breaking apart, rolling and plowing through a cornfield next to the runway. Captain Haynes was the US Celebrity Pilot Hero before Chesley Sullenburger.

-Cub Builder

Captain Haynes was a true hero and a heckuva nice guy. One of my friends and a neighbor, Arnie Jackson (gone west) was a retired UAL DC-10 captain who flew with Al Haynes several times, and I met the man twice. When recounting the crash, he always gave credit to the other crew members onboard flight 232 and downplayed his own role.

When the Sioux City tower told him he was cleared to land "on any runway" Haynes replied with a chuckle, "Oh, you want to be specific and make it a runway."

At 87, he had a good run. Go well, Captain.

I heard him speak about the incident a few years ago at an EAA chapter meeting at KLZU. His story is not only an amazing account of unflappable grit, creativity, and perseverance in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, he was a completely gentle, humble, and even humorous guy. It was inspiring.

Skip

Al did all he could do,but it did not affect control of the airplane. Analysis showed that turning the yoke or rudder had no connection to the control surfaces, did not move them at all. The only control was by the pilot who came up from the passenger section and operated the throttles, using full throttle to climb and reduce to descend and differential throttle to turn. I don't know his name, be most don't know him either.

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Originally Posted by Bill Greenwood

Al did all he could do,but it did not affect control of the airplane. Analysis showed that turning the yoke or rudder had no connection to the control surfaces, did not move them at all. The only control was by the pilot who came up from the passenger section and operated the throttles, using full throttle to climb and reduce to descend and differential throttle to turn. I don't know his name, be most don't know him either.

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As I recall, Haynes was still in command issuing calls for control of the plane throughout the flight.

I got to hear him speak once also, amazing man. And I remember years ago he had a daughter with cancer. There was fund raining going on for her within the aviation community. Anyone hear how she turned out? Well I hope.

Al's leadership and crew action inspire me to never give up... salutes to all of them...

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Originally Posted by Bill Greenwood

Al did all he could do,but it did not affect control of the airplane. Analysis showed that turning the yoke or rudder had no connection to the control surfaces, did not move them at all. The only control was by the pilot who came up from the passenger section and operated the throttles, using full throttle to climb and reduce to descend and differential throttle to turn. I don't know his name, be most don't know him either.

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ALL three hydraulic systems were disabled when the #2 engine failed, so the only control left was by manipulating the thrust of the #1 and #3 engines as you stated. However, it was Captain Haynes who directed those actions made by Captain Fitch. Captain Haynes also directed the overall situation, including the diversionary airport choice and the timing of the landing gear extension; that's just two examples.

The crew of UA232 saved many lives that day; that crew was lead by Captain Al Haynes.

Please see F.A.R. 121.533(d),(e), 91.7(b) and 91.3(a).

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Originally Posted by cub builder

I'm surprised that nobody on this forum noted the passing of Captain Al Haynes this last week. Captain Haynes was the pilot of the DC-10 that lost all flight controls when the tail engine failed and destroyed all three control systems. Captain Haynes brought cockpit resource management to the forefront using himself, his co-pilot, and a third pilot that was hopping a ride to fly the DC-10 to an emergency landing in Souix City, IA using nothing but throttles of the two remaining engines for control. Most of the passengers survived the landing with the plane breaking apart, rolling and plowing through a cornfield next to the runway. Captain Haynes was the US Celebrity Pilot Hero before Chesley Sullenburger.

-Cub Builder

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Thank you for posting this passing. I agree it should have made the news.

As a fellow crew member I salute his passing. One can not say enough good things about him or the overall results of this incident.

Denny Fitch was the deadheading captain (and check pilot) who handled the throttles. There's a great interview with him on YouTube. It's long (55 minutes), but really worth watching if you have the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8vdkTz0zqI

Thanks for that video -- it was good.

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Originally Posted by lnuss

Thanks for that video -- it was good.

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Sobering, for sure.

I think they must have used a speech to text converter to create the subtitles. Some of the errors are really funny.

One thing Capt Haynes and the others did was not give up. It would seem to be a hopeless situation, especially if they had known that they had no control with yoke or rudder pedals. I'm sure the Capt used a voice of authority and control, but airplanes steer by control surfaces and nothing the they did had any affect whatsoever on any control surface.
it was the 3rd pilot who flew the plane,such as it was ,but using the engines. Id say he had maybe 20% of normal control and at least got the plane to touchdown somewhat right side up and a lot of passengers survived a seemingly hopeless situation.
Sully, by contrast, actually flew the plane, he had full control except for no power. Thank God the river was there.