 SERGEANT JAMES PORTMAN
During a pre-flight inspection on Hercules #320, Sergeant Portman discovered the forward nose landing gear was improperly installed with the forward trunnion bolts installed from the bottom up. The correct installment is from the top down. With the incorrect installation in place, the trunnion bolts will drop out if the nuts back off. The potential loss or failure of these bolts could have led to an in-flight landing gear problem or a failure of the landing gear on touchdown. Sergeant Portman's keen attention to detail and excellent airframe knowledge rectified an incorrect installation, which had existed on this aircraft for almost a year. Sgt Portman's vigilance resulted in the elimination of a potential flight safety hazard.
Sgt Portman still serves with 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron, 14 Wing Greenwood
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