On July 25, 2016, a Navy F-18 departed Eielson Air Force Base (EIL)
following a refueling stop en route to Asia for a training exercise.
Nearly two hours after takeoff, the pilot shut down one engine
and declared an emergency [due to an aircraft malfunction]. The
pilot operated the second engine at reduced power in order to
conserve fuel and immediately turned back toward EIL. A second
F-18 flying with the aircraft also turned back. The tanker that
had accompanied the aircraft was unable to break off and give
the aircraft in distress additional fuel at the time, because it was
refueling a different F-18 in the group. By the time the tanker was
able to break from the group, the emergency was too far away for
the tanker to catch up.
FEUD65: ...We cannot maintain the 3-6-0. We are in a full descent.
The weather surrounding the Aleutian Islands was poor, and
most airports were reporting only a quarter-mile visibility. The
F-18 pilot attempted to find an airport with a runway long enough
to land, and decided to head to King Salmon Airport (AKN), which
has an 8,900-foot long runway.
With low fuel and a bad weather situation on the ground, the pilot
was desperate to get the aircraft on the ground. Anchorage Center
(ZAN) controller Jessica Earp took quick action and suggested
nearby St. Paul Airport (SNP). The airport has a 6,500-foot runway
and was reporting VFR (visual flight rules) conditions at the time.
St. Paul Island is a small, 40-square mile island in the Bering Sea.
ALASKAN REGION 6
JESSICA EARP
ANCHORAGE CENTER
Example of a Navy F-18
