After Frode finished flight school he received his silver wings and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps. Next was B-26, Transition training at Dodge City, Kansas. Daily they would make about 4 hour training flights in the B-26, remember it was called The Widow Maker. After two hours the pilot an co-pilot would trade seats and control. Flying in formation Frode was the pilot when the plane to his left said that his left engine was leaking oil. With no oil pressure in that engine it was shut down and the propeller feathered.
Unable to keep up with the formation Frode was ordered to return to Dodge City flying with one engine. Having lost half his altitude for lack of power he saw an airfield at Garden City, Kansas. This was a training base for single engine trainers. Doubting he could reach Dodge City he decided to land. However. there was no radio contact with the local field only with his airport of origin. Approaching with landing gear down when an AT-6 trainer turned in front of him to land on that runway blocking his landing.
The common wisdom was that a "go around" could not be done on one engine. With no other choice it was landing gear up and a attempt to "go around". At the beginning of the turn they were at about 200 or 300 feet. He said it was a good thing that Kansas is flat. As they were turning he found a closer runway and just as the landing gear locked down they touched down. Taxiing to the end of the runway they were surrounded by a procession of cars, trucks, ambulances, etc. With his droll sense of humor he said "I guess we did the best thing by landing at Garden City, although it could have been more enjoyable."
Takk for alt,
Al
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