Case Study Framework

(C-2A) CASE STUDY

TITLE: C-2A Belly Landing

FOCUS SKILL: Situational Awareness

SOURCE: SQUDRON RECORDS

TERMINAL OBJECTIVE: At the completion of this case study, the audience will be able to explain the importance of Situational Awareness in aircraft operations.

ENABLING OBJECTIVES: 1. In a Given set of conditions, (inflight emergency) A flight crew should be able to use situational awareness to better there outcome

DESCRIPTION:

INTRODUCTORY TEACHING POINTS:

What is situational awareness?

Effective situational awareness refers to the ability to:

 Identify the source and nature of problems  Extract and interpret essential information  Maintain an accurate perception of the external environment  Detect a situation requiring action

. Situational awareness requires that we know: Who is responsible for specific activities, What is happening, When events are supposed to occur, and Where the aircraft is in three-dimensional space.

. Maintaining a correct image of reality: Mission success depends on your maintaining or recovering situational awareness. Use the following techniques to maintain a correct image of flight:

 Detect and comment on deviations  Provide information in advance  Identify potential problems  Demonstrate an awareness of task performance and mission status

PAC US UP

. To maintain and/or recover situational awareness remember to:

. Prepare through a comprehensive brief  Acknowledge potential problems  Communicate  USe all information sources  UPdate and revise your flight image Factors that reduce situational awareness:

 Insufficient communication  Fatigue/stress  Task overload/underload  Group mindset  “Press on regardless” philosophy  Degraded operating conditions

Combat the loss of situational awareness by:

 Actively questioning and evaluation your mission progress  Using assertive behaviors when necessary  Analyzing your situation  Updating and revision your image of the mission

Remember:

 Situational awareness is a critical factor in our ability to respond effectively to a situation.  Maintaining a high level of situational awareness will better prepare crews to respond to unexpected situations.

INSTRUCTOR DIRECTIONS: Divide the participants into case study discussion groups. If the class is small, each member can work on their own. Present the case study using the following steps:

1. Describe the goal of the case study exercise and present the focus questions. Ask if anyone has questions about the exercise objective or the focus questions.

2. Allow time to read and discuss the synopsis in relation to the focus questions.

3. Lead a discussion or have groups present their findings in relationship to the focus questions. Highlight key points on board or other medium as discussion develops. DESCRIPTIVE SYNOPSIS:

1. (synopsis with annotations)

2. Possible Synopsis Additions.

a. C-2A logistics flight enroute to a detachment sight

b. Flight went from a routine flight to a emergency situation

c. The crew used multiple sources of information for assistance during the emergency

3. List of focus and support CRM skills.

a. Situational Awareness: The ability to maintain awareness of what is happening in the aircraft and in the mission.

b. Assertiveness: The willingness to actively participate and the ability to state and maintain your position.

c. Decision Making: The ability to use logic and sound judgement based on the information available.

d. Communication: The ability to clearly and accurately send and acknowledge information, instructions, or commands; and provide useful feedback.

e. Leadership: The ability to direct and coordinate the activities of other crew members, and to stimulate the crew to work together as a team.

f. Adaptability/Flexibility: The ability to alter a course of action to meet situational demands.

g. Mission Analysis: The ability to coordinate, allocate, and monitor crew and aircraft resources. FOCUS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Was the crew fully aware of there situation? YES

2. Did the Crew members use CRM to solve there emergency? YES

3. Did the pilots discuss options with the aircrew? YES

4. Was there anything that the crew could have done better to over come the emergency? READ THE ADB CLOSER

SUMMARY TEACHING POINTS:

1. Reiterate the role that situational awareness played in the decision to belly land the aircraft

2. Situational awareness is a critical factor in our ability to respond effectively to a situation.

3. Maintaining a high level of situational awareness will better prepare crews to respond to unexpected situations. (C-2A) CASE STUDY

TITLE: C-2A BELLY LANDING

SOURCE: SQUDRON SAFETY FILES

SYNOPSIS:

1300- The C-2A aircrew briefed a typical detachment/ logistic flight to Pensacola. Standard NATOPS brief was conducted. (CM)

1330- The Aircrewman prepare aircraft for the flight and loaded last minute items and inspect the aircraft before flight. The aircraft looked good for the flight. Aircraft weight and balance was completed and aircraft was within limits for flight and landing. (MA)

1430- Pilots arrived at aircraft for preflight. A walk around was completed without any problems noted. Aircraft was manned up for turn up.

1500- passengers were load onboard the aircraft (20 passengers). Once engines were online, the aircraft taxied for take off.

1530- Take off. The C-2A took off out of Chambers Field. Once at a safe altitude, the Aircraft commander raised the landing gear handle only to find out that the starboard forward landing gear doors didn’t close. The PCL was pulled out. (SA)

1535- The Aircrew discussed the problem and decided to drop the gear and return to Chambers Field for a landing and to troubleshoot the problem. (SA)

1540- the gear handle was moved to the down position. The main landing gear stayed in the up and locked position. Only the nose landing gear came down and locked. (SA)

1620- The crew discussed the problem and worked with the maintenance department, QA, and the ready room to find a possible solution. All aspects of the emergency procedures and possible landing issues (landing matrix) and the position of gear were discussed. (CM) (DM)

1650- The decision was made to try high G –turn maneuvers the aircrew prepped the cabin and passengers for G-Turns after several attempted the gear remained up. (DM) (AF) (AS)

1720- The crew discussed gear partially down and not being able to raise it making the landing condition worse. It was decided to blow down the gear. A second walk around in the cabin was done to ensure security. (SA) (MA) (CM)

1745 - The attempted to blow down the gear was unsuccessful. The dump valve was reset and a second attempt to blow down the gear was made. Still no joy the main gear remained up (AS) (SA)

1800 - At this time the crew, ground personnel, the tower, and LSOs discussed the landing options. ((MA) (AF) (CM)

1930- The CO made the decision to belly land the aircraft on the runway. The hook was dropped a on four mile approach the starboard was shut down for the landing. The aircraft approach was a level smooth approach. Hook caught the short field arresting gear. Once the aircraft had come to a complete stop, all crew and PAX egressed safely. (LD) (SA) (AS) FOCUS QUESTIONS:

1. Was the crew fully aware of there situation?

2. Did the Crew members use CRM to solve there emergency?

3. Did the pilots discuss options with the aircrew?

4. Was there anything that the crew could have done better to over come the emergency?