Airman's Mid-Air Fuel Leak Video Saves Plane

[bijou]

An off-duty US Air Force sergeant who filmed fuel seeping from a passenger jet wing has been credited with saving the lives of some 300 people.
 
Luckily for those on board, passenger Sgt Bartek Bachleda realised that something was wrong as soon as the plane left Chicago airport for Tokyo.

"I noticed the leak on the left side of the aircraft right behind the wing earlier during take-off," he said.

Sgt Bachleda continued to watch the flow of fuel as the plane reached cruising altitude so he could be absolutely sure it was a leak.

Convinced it was serious, Sgt Bachleda then attempted to alert cabin crew - but was met with a brush-off by an air stewardess.

Growing increasingly worried, the Air Force officer began to capture the possible leak on video and managed to get the stewardess' attention by saying: "Ma'am, it's an emergency".

He identified himself to her and showed her the leak on video.

"She was completely serious and was no longer handing out drinks," he said. "I told her you need to inform your captain before we go oceanic."


An image of the fuel leak captured by Sgt Bachleda from his plane window

link

[djones520]

Someone needs to do a bit more research.  Sgt's aren't officers.

Cool on him though for catching this.

[Chris_]

Someone needs to do a bit more research.  Sgt's aren't officers.

Cool on him though for catching this.

That's right.  They work for a living.   

 

[rich_t]

What does the O in NCO stand for?

 

[TheSarge]

What does the O in NCO stand for?

 

But it's the N and the C prior to that last letter that separate the men from the boys.
 

[rich_t]

But it's the N and the C prior to that last letter that separate the men from the boys.
 

I concur.  As more than one butter bar learned from me and other NCOs.  heh heh.