![]() I have often thought of the situation and wondered what would have happened if it was a "NO-PRE-WARNING" situation and the number four engine fire had spread no one downstairs -on the ramp, no one to try to pull the chutes out properly - I can tell you it would have been hard - the chutes, once inflated are big - very stiff and with the wind we had that day been real beasts to pull out straight. Of course it was a peculiar situation with crash crews/trucks/fire department too. I don't think many people have ever stopped an evacuation of a large aircraft but I have. If they had jumped there would have been serious consequences with broken bones for sure and maybe fatal. The DC-8 was a tall aircraft for its day. ![]() I ran up to the aft door and screamed up to abort the evacuation - I went forward and did the same at every door telling them there was no further danger of fire. Of course they are pretty limp as they start and a very stiff crosswind blew all of them under the fuselage. Meanwhile, the cabin crew popped the port side chutes and out they came. Three crash trucks arrived in seconds and the engine disappeared under a mountain of foam. As he stopped fuel was puddled under it and it caught fire. ![]() The RMLG walked inboard and he skidded on nbr 4 engine. I was in the Fire Chief's car and we chased him down the runway as he landed. Crash and rescue including NYC Fire marshaled and waiting. On a low flypast I saw the gear sway inboard as the plane banked. An Eastern DC8-51into KJFK right MLG wouldn't lock down. ![]()
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