Captain Jack McMahan was a resourceful and experienced pilot who used unique and unorthodox techniques to keep the Lockheed L-1011 in the air and then safely on the ground when a mechanical problem arose. Probably most lesser skilled pilots would have failed to regain control of the plane and the flight would have ended with a disastrous crash. I can't say that Captain McMahans former military service gave him the experience to understand how to overcome the stuck horizontal stabilizer but I would like to think that it did. God bless Mr. McMahan. His success in saving the airplane allowed many other probable plane crashes to be avoided. Thank you Tara for another interesting story of another American Hero.
With all the thousands of regular flights every day, I'm sure there are other stories not told publicly. We depend on the safe and effective capabilities of every flight crew and thanks to you all!
Add quick thinking to that with a dash of luck. As it is said, “any landing you walk away from is a good landing”. Good story with a (thankfully) happy ending.
Thanks for sharing this story. Always good to hear about folks who go the extra mile especially in this instance. I'm thankful that they were able to check on the other models to highlight what needed to be fixed. Always thankful for the ones who think everything through in order to save the day!
Awesome Friday story, Tara. We lived in San Diego at the time, but I don’t recall hearing about this occurrence. That was one smart pilot. I’m sure his military experience helped as well as his natural intelligence and ability to think logically under pressure. His actions certainly had a far reaching impact.
The story would have had a tragic ending and probably a false analogy of what caused the accident! The desire to keep their good reputations untarnished was a strong motivation too.
The Marine pilots I have known through the years are smart logical thinkers. Can’t imagine all of those scenarios running through the mind at a time like that. Thank you Captain McMahan…..
There is nothing more important in a cockpit than experience. For 18 years I was a crewmember in USAF C-130 and KC-10 aircraft. Captain McMahan and Steve Heidt (most likely the First Officer) were working together to overcome an aircraft trying to kill them. They did overcome and saved that flight and many lives the world over. The L-1011 was a major aircraft like the DC-10 in those days. They also had God's help and I am grateful for all of them. Thanks Tara.
Captain Jack McMahan was a resourceful and experienced pilot who used unique and unorthodox techniques to keep the Lockheed L-1011 in the air and then safely on the ground when a mechanical problem arose. Probably most lesser skilled pilots would have failed to regain control of the plane and the flight would have ended with a disastrous crash. I can't say that Captain McMahans former military service gave him the experience to understand how to overcome the stuck horizontal stabilizer but I would like to think that it did. God bless Mr. McMahan. His success in saving the airplane allowed many other probable plane crashes to be avoided. Thank you Tara for another interesting story of another American Hero.
With all the thousands of regular flights every day, I'm sure there are other stories not told publicly. We depend on the safe and effective capabilities of every flight crew and thanks to you all!
We probably don't want to know all the stories!!!
I figured Marine and Navy pilots preferred to bang it down anyway, from learning and years of landing on aircraft carriers.
LOL.
Very Cool Story. Thank You, Tara
A great story - snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. A Hero: Someone who just did what needed to be done. Thank you, Tara Ross!
That’s a good story. That’s an American ingenuity story. Thank you!
I don’t remember hearing about this incident. I would say this was a part miracle, part skill and knowledge of an amazing pilot.
🇺🇸❤️❤️❤️
Adapt.
Improvise.
Overcome.
Add quick thinking to that with a dash of luck. As it is said, “any landing you walk away from is a good landing”. Good story with a (thankfully) happy ending.
Happy Freaky Friday Tara Ross!💯🇱🇷🏴☠️❤️🌹
Thanks for sharing this story. Always good to hear about folks who go the extra mile especially in this instance. I'm thankful that they were able to check on the other models to highlight what needed to be fixed. Always thankful for the ones who think everything through in order to save the day!
Awesome Friday story, Tara. We lived in San Diego at the time, but I don’t recall hearing about this occurrence. That was one smart pilot. I’m sure his military experience helped as well as his natural intelligence and ability to think logically under pressure. His actions certainly had a far reaching impact.
He potentially saved thousands of lives. What if it had gone down as pilot error multiple times before someone finally figured out the problem?
The story would have had a tragic ending and probably a false analogy of what caused the accident! The desire to keep their good reputations untarnished was a strong motivation too.
Wow!! I had really liked flying in L1011s! Very comfortable. But then, none of them ever did that while I was riding.
The Marine pilots I have known through the years are smart logical thinkers. Can’t imagine all of those scenarios running through the mind at a time like that. Thank you Captain McMahan…..
Of course a Marine pilot would use a carrier landing.
There is nothing more important in a cockpit than experience. For 18 years I was a crewmember in USAF C-130 and KC-10 aircraft. Captain McMahan and Steve Heidt (most likely the First Officer) were working together to overcome an aircraft trying to kill them. They did overcome and saved that flight and many lives the world over. The L-1011 was a major aircraft like the DC-10 in those days. They also had God's help and I am grateful for all of them. Thanks Tara.
He was the right pilot at the right time using knowledge to replace fear. I remember when that happened. Thank you Tara 😊