The prestigious Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators in Britain has given one of its highest honors to the crew of a DHL Airbus A300 who landed the plane (stuck in the trim position for climbout) apparently using only the thrust from the engines to control pitch, attitude and direction. The pilots, Capt. Eric Genotte, First Officer Steeve Michielson and Flight Engineer Mario Rofail, were presented the Hugh Gordon-Burge Award, which is for outstanding airmanship in saving an aircraft. As AVweb showed you earlier this year, the Airbus made a spectacular — and safe — landing in Baghdad about 25 minutes after being hit by a missile while taking off. At the time, news of the miraculous landing was the stuff of urban legend and there was much speculation about its veracity. The award and its narrative seem to clear up any doubt that this was an impressive piece of flying. Hats off to the winners from AVweb and its 130,000 subscribers world wide.
Pilots Of Missile-Struck Plane Honored
Key Takeaways:
- A DHL Airbus A300 crew, including Capt. Eric Genotte, First Officer Steeve Michielson, and Flight Engineer Mario Rofail, received the prestigious Hugh Gordon-Burge Award.
- They were honored for their outstanding airmanship in safely landing their aircraft in Baghdad after it was hit by a missile during takeoff.
- The crew successfully controlled the severely damaged plane, which was stuck in the trim position for climbout, using only the thrust from its engines.
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