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Private Pilot Makes Emergency Landing at NAS Brunswick

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091113-20
Release Date: 11/13/2009 5:11:00 PM

From Naval Air Station Brunswick Public Affairs

BRUNSWICK, Maine (NNS) -- The pilot of a civilian aircraft made an emergency landing at Naval Air Station (NAS) Brunswick Nov. 10 after experiencing loss of power in his Cessna 172 single-engine plane.

James Jordan, of Bangor, Maine, left Bangor International Airport en route to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire for a business meeting when he experienced catastrophic engine problems about 50 minutes into his flight.

He was flying at an altitude of 4,500 feet with 10 miles unrestricted visibility when the aircraft began to lose power. "I think I blew one of the cylinders," Jordan said.

Immediately, he notified air traffic control at Bangor that he intended to divert from Manchester to Portland International Jetport in Maine.

"I didn't think I could make it to Portland," he said. "I already had a visual [sighting] on Brunswick, and called the tower to tell them that I was going to divert and make an emergency landing there."

Two crash trucks and personnel were dispatched by the NASB Fire Department, along with an ambulance and two base security units as Jordan, an experienced pilot with nearly three thousand hours flying time, safely landed the Cessna 172 on Runway 1R just after 7:30 a.m.

"This a normal operational procedure for any emergency landing," John Lippolis, precinct commander, NASB Security said.

"But, because it was an unscheduled landing, we inspected the aircraft, just like we inspect any vehicle coming through a base gate, cleared it and turned it over to the tower and base air operations."

Cmdr. Dave Ivezic, NAS Brunswick air operations officer commended his Sailors and staff for their professionalism during the emergency.

"We provided the airman what he needed," Ivezic said. "The staff did a fine job supporting an airman in distress."

NAS Brunswick's mission is to provide the best possible support and quality of service to assigned operational and Reserve fleet units and tenant commands.