Warbird Information Exchange

On Saturday at the Jones Beach Airshow, the P-40 owned by Warbirds Over Long Island and flown by Bob Baranaskas declared an emergency. I was monitoring the airboss freq and heard the mayday. It was at the end of the warbirds set. The fighters had departed the circuit and the Yankee Lady, C-47 and TBM were still making their passes.

Bob declared a Mayday that he was trailing smoke and needed to immediately get back to Republic. The WOLI P-51 Glamourous Gal was being flown by Ed Shipley, who proceeded to be his chase and guide him back to Republic. Bob landed safely. After the show I met up with show announcer Rob Reider and asked for an update. Apparently the P-40's windshield was covered with oil and Bob needed to open the canopy to look out, where by he allegedly lost his helmet requiring Ed to relay to the tower. From what I understand the engine is cooked. I am sure WOLI will provide an update on the website.

Here is a link to the airboss freq audio from ASB member Steven King. This is exactly like I heard it and it gives you a new appreciation of what goes on behind the scenes. I'm glad all turned out ok!

http://www.airshowbuzz.com/forums/index ... t&id=16703



Cheers,
Peter

What is that an E model with N exhaust stacks.

I can't believe the radio chatter from the other airplanes worrying about their time slots and other unrelated things. The controller never cleared the airspace and barely acknowledged an emergency was happening. Very, very unprofessional in my opinion. Great that he got it on the ground undamaged. Don

Just goes to show it seems there are two airways systems in place in this country- one for the FAA's paying pet airlines, and one for "the rest of us"- the ones the President wants to pay for the whole thing...

Glad the P-40 made it home safe, albeit in need of work.

Robbie

I would like to hear the radio of this,but when I clicked on the reference it won't work and says an error has occurred. Do you have to log in as a member?

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

Bill,

Yes.

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

No, its not. Keep in mind that this was the airboss freq and the recording stops at times so the time line as you listen is not correct. I am sure that Bob had his hands full at the time and if you listen he is actually asking Airboss to make the call to FRG for him. In other words there is not a lot of time to switch to a discreet freq or tower. Shipley in the P51 came along side and contacted tower for him as well. Later he ('Fighter Lead' on the recording) made a call to airboss to let him know all was ok.

There was still a show going on...the bombers were still making passes and the next performer was set to start. Also as I said the fighters had already just departed the box, otherwise the outcome would have been different as far as the show was concerned. Good job to all involved.

Peter

Everyone did a wonderful job.

Good flying, good bossing, and good assist by Shipley.

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What is that mountain goat doing way up here in the clouds?

As an aside, yet another reason to ensure your chin strap and mask are up when wearing a helmet.

Not saying this is what happened here, nor that strap and mask are a sure-fire way to keep your helmet on in a situation like this (I have personally witnessed a F-15E back seater whose helmet was pulled off when the jet lost the canopy in flight).

Just an opportunity for a small learning point for helmet-wearers.

One thing to remember also is that this was an "over-the-water" beach air show, hence, no runway at the show location for emergencies.
Since the airboss didn't have to clear the area and give the field over to the P-40's emergency, there was no reason to stop the show. Once the emergency was declared and the P-40 was on the way to FRG, with an escort mind you, there was nothing more the airboss could do but safely handle the aircraft that were still in the air and performing.

During an emergency at a regular air show airport, the performers not involved are told to knock it off and immediately head to a briefed holding orbit away from the field. This allows ARFF clear access to the runway and the aircraft can make a landing.

Very glad Bob made it down safely.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

Can someone that is a member with that site please tell them that there is an error on the contact us page and I cant get them to send my password info as it wont let me fill in the message to send them!!
Much abliged

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Cheers,
Peter

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I received an email from Bob yesterday indicating that the P-40 will be undergoing an engine change this week and hopefully will be at MAAM's WWII Weekend on June 6th. I'm just glad that Bob is ok and was able to get the P-40 on the ground safely.

Greg Witmer
Mid Atlantic Air Museum
WWII weekend Aircraft Coordinator & Airboss

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Greg Witmer, V.P. of Operations
Airboss / Ground Boss / WWII Aircraft Coordinator
David Schultz Airshows LLC

Wow! Impressive. I firgured it was a scratch for MAAM and at best a maybe for Geneseo. On the assumption that not every owner has a spare Allison ready to go.

Nice flying Mr. B!

August

I don't think I have ever seen a picture of a convertible jet before. It looks like it would waste a lot of air conditioning, and frankly I prefer the top down look of my '70 Porsche Targa.

Does anybody know how far it was from the location of the air show back to the airport where he landed.

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK