Subject: Re: Yukla27 Crash Briefing
Author: Michael J Long at 6DE-MAIN
Date: 1/11/96 8:33 AM
Hello all, January 10, 1995 found Charlotte and I listening to a U.S. Air Force Captain, from Robert's unit in Alaska, provide us with a briefing on the crash, in our home. He, Charlotte and I spent 3 plus hours listening, questioning and talking. About ten minutes after he left, the press called from Alaska. The press in Alaska, have been very good in their reporting of the incident. Instead of referring the reporter to the Air Force press Officer at the local base, I talked with her. I sensed a slight disappointment that I was not going to criticize, condemn or conflict with the Air Force. She was surprised that the briefing lasted as long as it did, that the Officer had just left and the report was three inches thick. She asked how many pages and we could not respond as the report was numbered like A-1 thru A-17 etc, we found a tape and measured it. The interview was a bit emotional, for me, but lasted a short time.
The cause of the accident was the aircraft hit a flock of geese while taking off. This resulted in both engines on one side not functioning properly (the aircraft has four engines) pulling the aircraft to one side, which resulted in the crash. We will read the entire report in time, Charlotte started reading it last night. Pilot error was not a factor.
My understanding that Kathleen will have, or was receiving a multiple page summary of the report at about the same time we were. The entire report will be furnished her if she requests it. All families were given the briefing and three inch report at roughly the same time throughout the United States, before releasing the report to the public and press.
The search for a scapegoat will likely focus on the implementation of some sort of 'bird strike plan' and the reporting of flying geese in the area. Neither Charlotte nor I wish to focus on this aspect. Our focus will be on the Memorial Fund being established at the University of Colorado, in Robert's name, and directed toward helping the future education of widows, orphans and future military (ROTC) cadet students at the University.
Tragedies happen and we do not have any negative or hurtful feelings toward the 'Air Force' or the 'geese'. Though I might offer to take a variety of individuals 'goose hunting' if they feel that such an outing will help. The irony of my working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where the logo of the 'Blue Goose' emblem has been such a part of our entire families life, is there.-- A modern day 'Greek Tragedy'.
/s/ Michael J. Long