Two US pilots have been given awards for landing an "unflyable" MD-11

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http://www.mangossubic.com/local_news_current.htm#US%20pilots%20awarded%20fo
r%20landing%20an%20unflyable
June 26, 2003
WASHINGTON - Two US pilots have been given awards for landing an "unflyable"
MD-11 with jammed hydraulic systems and a detached left wing flap at the
Philippines' Subic Bay airport.
The FedEx Express pilots -- Captain James Almlie and First Officer Mark
Abbott -- were presented with the Lieutenant General Harold L. George
Civilian Airmanship Award at a weekend convention in Dayton, Ohio. The
award was given "for demonstrating superior airmanship and teamwork in
safely recovering and landing an essentially unflyable MD-11 that had
experienced severe flight control malfunctions during final approach into
Subic Bay International Airport, Philippines on June 16, 2002," the Air Line
Pilots Association said in a statement.
The crew was preparing to land FedEx Flight 5080 after an uneventful flight
from Bangkok when they heard a loud bang and the aircraft rolled to  the
left, the association said in a statement. "During the flight to Manila, the
pilots had to take turns applying an estimated 40 to 50 pounds (18.5 to 22.5
kilograms) of force on the control wheel required to keep the aircraft
level," it said.
"Upon inspecting the aircraft after landing, the crew discovered that the
left wing's inboard flap had effectively come detached due to structural
failure of bolts attaching it to the plane. The violent failure had caused
several hydraulic system lines to be severed and the ground spoiler system
to be deployed and jammed in the "up' position."
The Order of Daedalians -- an organization for active and retired  military
pilots -- presented the award June 21.

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