I was a Junior Army Officer in 1968 leaving out of Boston in a 727. Very shortly after rotation (we later learned our altitude was about 800 feet) the engine on the right side of the fuselage exploded (we were never told exactly why) and shrapnel from the engine severed the hydraulic lines associated with the rear drop-down stairs. The stairs dropped, dangling open for the remainder. The nose of the aircraft dropped precipitously.
The first turn was agonizingly slow and we visibly lost altitude heading back out over the water. The second turn gave us a glimpse of the runway we were heading for lined with emergency equipment.
We landed safely and as we disembarked the senior civilian I was traveling with nodded to the graying pilot just emerging from the cockpit, turned to me and said this is exactly why you want a old hand flying the aircraft.’
We learned later that several young children in a playground below were struck and injured by falling debris when the engine exploded.
Excellent response to an unexpected incident
I was a Junior Army Officer in 1968 leaving out of Boston in a 727. Very shortly after rotation (we later learned our altitude was about 800 feet) the engine on the right side of the fuselage exploded (we were never told exactly why) and shrapnel from the engine severed the hydraulic lines associated with the rear drop-down stairs. The stairs dropped, dangling open for the remainder. The nose of the aircraft dropped precipitously.
The first turn was agonizingly slow and we visibly lost altitude heading back out over the water. The second turn gave us a glimpse of the runway we were heading for lined with emergency equipment.
We landed safely and as we disembarked the senior civilian I was traveling with nodded to the graying pilot just emerging from the cockpit, turned to me and said this is exactly why you want a old hand flying the aircraft.’
We learned later that several young children in a playground below were struck and injured by falling debris when the engine exploded.