Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: Captain Al Haynes flies west

  1. #1
    cub builder's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    North Central AR
    Posts
    456

    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
    Last edited by cub builder; 08-28-2019 at 03:55 PM.

  2. #2
    Scooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    65
    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.
    - Stan Cooper (K4DRD), Private Pilot ASEL, LSR-I, EAA 115792 Lifetime Member, EAA Chapter 124
    Experimental AMD CH601XLi-B, N601KE, KSTS



  3. #3

    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Posts
    3
    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

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Posts
    2,575
    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.

  5. #5
    Low Pass's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Houston
    Posts
    104
    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Greenwood View Post
    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.
    As I recall, Haynes was still in command issuing calls for control of the plane throughout the flight.
    Bryan

    Houston

  6. #6
    gbrasch's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Arizona
    Posts
    530
    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.
    Glenn Brasch
    KRYN Tucson, Arizona
    2013 RV-9A
    Medevac helicopter pilot (Ret)
    EAA member since 1980
    Owner, "Airport Courtesy Cars" website.
    www.airportcourtesycars.com
    Volunteer Mentor www.SoAZTeenAviation.org

  7. #7
    BusyLittleShop's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Sacramento California
    Posts
    88
    Al's leadership and crew action inspire me to never give up... salutes to all of them...

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    67
    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Greenwood View Post
    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.
    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).

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    302
    Quote Originally Posted by cub builder View Post
    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

    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.

  10. #10
    Scooper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Santa Rosa, CA
    Posts
    65
    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.

    - Stan Cooper (K4DRD), Private Pilot ASEL, LSR-I, EAA 115792 Lifetime Member, EAA Chapter 124
    Experimental AMD CH601XLi-B, N601KE, KSTS



Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •