 SERGEANT DAVE RICHARDS
While deployed to 19 Wing Comox in January 2005, Sergeant Richards discovered the F119 panel of a CP-140 partially opened in the nose wheel well during the pre-flight “onboard” check. He secured the panel, completed the check and informed his Lead Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator . The mission was flown without delay. An after flight follow-up revealed that 19 Wing maintenance personnel had accidentally left this panel open after de-snagging a radar fault during the preflight phase of the mission.
The Aurora “onboard” check does not require this area to be checked. Sergeant Richards' professional attitude, in going beyond the required items outlined in the checklist, prevented the occurrence of a possible flight safety incident during a critical phase of flight. Separation of this particular panel from the aircraft could have resulted in damage to the aircraft, private property, ground personnel or potential Foreign Object Damage (FOD) on a busy runway used frequently by civilian air carriers.
Sergeant Richards is commended for the exemplary conduct displayed in preventing potential damage to equipment and injury to personnel.
Sergeant Richards serves with 415 Maritime Patrol Squadron, 14 Wing Greenwood.
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