The media team at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico, first reported the story of how a civilian air traffic controller—Wendy Smith—working in Kirtland Tower saved the six-person flight crew of an Air Force CV-22, and avoided a $90 million accident. Cassidy is a 12-year veteran controller at Kirtland.
Tower Controller Credited With Save of CV-22 at Kirtland AFB
Key Takeaways:
- Air traffic controller Wendy Smith at Kirtland AFB saved a six-person Air Force CV-22 crew and a $90 million aircraft by noticing an unusual prop-rotor during a night takeoff.
- Her critical observation prompted the crew to land, where maintenance discovered a pitch link bearing was rapidly failing, which would have caused a catastrophic accident within an hour.
- Smith's vigilance averted the loss of the aircraft and crew, for which she was recognized with a special coin from the 71st Special Operations Squadron commander.
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