Accidental Take Off

An interesting story from The Press newspaper, of Christchurch, NZ, dated 30th of August 1966:

ACCIDENTAL TAKE-OFF

Officer’s Error

(N.Z.P.A.- Reuter—Copyright) LYNEHAM (England), Aug. 28.

The Royal Air Force has given a reprimand—plus congratulations—to a maintenance officer who took off accidentally in a 140 m.p.h. jet fighter—and landed it safely.

Wing Commander Walter Holden, aged 39, made his split-second decision to take off when a careless move sent the plane speeding down the runway during a routine engine test last month.

The reluctant pilot, who had flown no more than a 100 m.p.h. Chipmunk trainer for 10 years, had no cockpit canopy, flying helmet or workable radio—and no feel of the controls. He circled for 12 minutes and then landed at the fifth attempt while horrified officials, ambulance men and firemen stood by.

The official inquiry closed this week-end saying it did not think much of a plane “getting away” during an engine test. The head of maintenance command, Air-Marshal Melvin Porter, praised the wing commander for cool action and a good landing on his fastest-ever flight.