MAJOR MIKE SAVARD
Major Savard was conducting an airsickness progress flight in a Harvard II , on a phase II student, in the Moose Jaw flying area. While recovering from a slow flight sequence, Major Savard noticed a restriction in the flight controls. Initially thinking the student pilot may have inadvertently restricted the flight controls, Major Savard queried the student pilot. When the student informed Major Savard that he had not restricted the controls, Major Savard began to slowly verify the extent of control restriction. Major Savard discovered that there was only left, forward, and aft stick movement available; there was no right stick movement at all.
Currently at 9000 feet and 25 miles from base, Major Savard then proceeded to carry out a controllability check on the aircraft by simulating a mock approach and overshoot while at a safe altitude. He determined that the aircraft was controllable to a minimum speed of approximately 135 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS,) just 12 KIAS below the gear speed and 25 KIAS higher than the recommended final approach speed. Upon declaration of an emergency with air traffic control, Major Savard demonstrated a high level of professionalism and superior aircraft control while positioning the aircraft on a long straight-in approach, using only rudder to counteract any left hand rolling moments and right rudder for turns. Simultaneously, he maintained a high level of crew resource management with the student pilot while he performed a controlled ejection checklist procedure, in case the aircraft departed controlled flight. Bringing the aircraft back to base on a steep flapless approach, well above the recommended approach speeds, Major Savard successfully brought the Harvard to a full stop landing. He did this with restricted use of his flight controls and using only rudder authority to counteract any left rolling moments.
The practice of using rudder only without aileron for recovery or approach is neither a taught sequence nor a written response in the aircraft approved flight manual. Major Savard demonstrated a high level of professionalism and superior aircraft handling when faced with an emergency that could have led to the loss of an aircraft and/or lives.
Major Savard took his retirement from the Canadian Forces in the summer of 2004.
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