Low Level Emergencies

AIR FORCE T-38 TRACK INTERMEDIATES

CHAPTER 7

712.

LOW LEVEL EMERGENCIES

Not every mission goes as planned. There are many factors beyond our control that can rapidly

change the mission. In this section, we will look at the following low level emergencies: Aircraft

malfunctions, bird strikes, weather, and lost.

The first step when encountering any type of aircraft malfunction at low altitude is to maintain

aircraft control by climbing the aircraft away from the ground. Once the aircraft is safely away

from the ground, we can devote our attention to analyzing the situation and taking the

appropriate action. The most serious aircraft malfunction we may experience is an engine

failure. In this situation, the aircraft should be zoomed to trade excess airspeed for altitude while

executing your low altitude power loss procedures.

Another major danger during low level operations is bird strikes. In the event of a bird strike,

the first step is to climb the aircraft away from the ground. If the bird penetrates the canopy,

both crewmembers should come on the controls and climb the aircraft away from the ground.

Once the aircraft is safely away from the ground, the next step is to analyze the damage to the

aircraft and the pilots. If one of the pilots is injured, the uninjured pilot should fly the aircraft to

the nearest suitable field and land. If aircraft damage is suspected, a controllability check should

be performed above 5000 feet AGL prior to landing. For any bird strike, the low level should be

terminated and the aircraft returned to either the home base or to the nearest suitable field if the

aircraft is damaged.

During the low level, we are required to maintain VMC. If the aircraft cannot maintain VMC

or inadvertently enters IMC, immediately execute a route abort by applying full power, transition

to instruments, and climb to your Route Abort Altitude. Do not attempt to re-enter the route

once the route abort is initiated. When able, squawk emergency and coordinate with the

appropriate controlling agency for an IFR clearance to the destination airfield.

If you become lost or disoriented, the first step is to climb to a safe VFR altitude and slow the

aircraft down to conserve fuel. From there, look for prominent land features or use nearby

TACAN stations to update your position. If unable to determine your location, contact a nearby

controlling agency and confess your status and request radar vectors to your destination airfield.

Bottom line, with any type of abnormal situation at low level, climb the aircraft away from the

ground first and then handle the problem. It is much easier to deal with emergencies once you

have achieved terrain and obstacle clearance.

713.

SUMMARY

Low level flying is an integral part of fighter and bomber operations in peacetime and wartime.

The low altitude environment is not only one of the most challenging areas to fly and employ

weapons; it is also one of the most dangerous. When flying low, it is imperative to develop solid

habit patterns to manage the multiple tasks within the cockpit and keep the aircraft safely away

from the ground. Once these skills are mastered, you can effectively take the fight down into the

enemy's back yard and put iron on target.

T-38 LOW LEVEL NAVIGATION 7-7