Military authorities are investigating why a cargo container dropped by a Trenton-based aircrew landed next to Highway 62 in Prince Edward County Monday.
The incident happened around 2 p. m. as a combined crew from 426 Transport Training Squadron and 436 Transport Squadron trained in a CC-130 Hercules plane.
While flying over the base’s Mountain View detachment, the crew deployed a parachute-equipped cargo container.
But instead of drifting onto the military airfield, the container floated east over the highway, landing on its eastern shoulder. It was reported by a motorist.
…The typical cargo load for a heavy-equipment training flight weighs
about 5,000 pounds and is slightly larger than the average kitchen
oven, Meszaros said.– Luke Hendry, “Military probes unexpected cargo drop“. Belleville Intelligencer, June 11th, 2008.
I have no doubt that the men and women of 426 and 436 Squadrons are aware of the proper procedure, but let me remind them just in case:
- The designated load is supposed to come off the aircraft at such a time and place as to land on some staff puke’s (unoccupied) car.
- The chute is to be rigged in such a fashion as to fail to arrest the pallet’s descent in any meaningful way.
Here are some examples.
Chris is most often found flying a desk, but he delights in studying the Golden Age of Aviation (1919-1939). He admires all the pioneering men and women who navigated the skies with nothing more sophisticated than a map, compass and sextant—and the conviction that there was no place they could not reach.
