The Wind Beneath My Wings: John Hutchinson Concorde Pilot - amzn.to/2jJINhU John Hutchinson chats about a tragic accident involving an RAF Shackleton over in Borneo.
My grandfather was a chief technician 1945-1970 and worked on the Shackleton in Singapore around the same time. He was awarded a BEM for the queen’s birthday honours. Charles Martin BEM (Royal Airforce)
This accident was still being talked about when I was posted to Seletar on 20 November 1959, so it is interesting to learn of the events that took place resulting from the Air Sea Rescue Search, and the possible cause of the accident. It is particularly gratifying to know that the Flight Engineer was accorded such respect and dignity by those who found, and buried him, on the island, and subsequently to a burial with full military honours. I think of this as being representative of the whole crew which was lost, with their guest on board. Many thanks to John Hutchinson (Captain) for his simple narrating of this tragic incident in which, but for the Grace of God, he may also have lost his life.
Fascinating story. I only wonder, how did the fishermen know to call the airplane "B for Bravo", as they had written it on the cross? (Or maybe the cross just said "B".)
No “grace of God” necessary, since it’s pure coincidence that Hutchinson swapped crews and something bad happened to the other captain. Although humans love to make patterns and connections where none exist, unless the other captain was downed by some severe, known, repeatable circumstance, the same thing simply wouldn’t have happened to Hutchinson. At all. Period. And to say “well it could have happened” simply opens up the infinite possibilities of the universe and is not realistic at all.
This story is an excellent example of the emotion, pattern seeking, and basic biases of the human thought process. Although it is obviously an emotional guilt that is hard for Hutchinson to escape due to the human emotional system, it is in no way based in any reality that he “dodged” the situation. It is astronomically impossible odds that Hutchinson and the captain he replaced would have been at the same place, at the same time, in the same circumstances. One immediately thinks of the impact of switching one’s self with the ill fated captain, but in reality their experiences would be absolutely separate and distinct experiences. Of course if a string of occurrences had occurred, then some connection of risk might have been obtained, but it wasn’t. So no divine or other intervention is necessary either, since there was actually nothing to avoid.
There's a TSR2 in the background....an aircraft that the RAF "didn't need", so much so that they had to build a replacement. Hanging over it is the English Electric Canberra, which was the "TSR1" (Tactical Strike & Reconnaissance 1). Quite the irony.
FOUR fuel cocks? I don't know the aircraft's layout - and would never claim to know more than the people who actually flew the Shackleton - but four fuel cocks seems a bit odd.......
I was stationed at RAF Seletar those days in the CPRU (Command Photographic Reproducttion Unit (FE) The sad story was huge news due to the fact a change of plan by John Hutchinson was (his) LifeSaver.I recalled a photographic recce which later showed a set of stones laid out on the sand with the letter B (Bravo). The actions of the Fisherman and presumably his colleagues ,was creditable and a similar crash into the ocean by a Bristol Beaufighter from Seletar where the pilot was unable to escape but the TTO was thrown out of the aircraft, he (the TTO) was saved by a Chinese Fisherman and brought ashore.The fisherman was awarded a a miserable $200.00 (two hundred) Singapore currency for his saving the downed airman..
This man is legendary, I could listen to him for hours.
I agree...a consummate professional , a grand gentleman , an exceptional Englishman is every sense of the description...
My grandfather was a chief technician 1945-1970 and worked on the Shackleton in Singapore around the same time. He was awarded a BEM for the queen’s birthday honours. Charles Martin BEM (Royal Airforce)
This accident was still being talked about when I was posted to Seletar on 20 November 1959, so it is interesting to learn of the events that took place resulting from the Air Sea Rescue Search, and the possible cause of the accident. It is particularly gratifying to know that the Flight Engineer was accorded such respect and dignity by those who found, and buried him, on the island, and subsequently to a burial with full military honours. I think of this as being representative of the whole crew which was lost, with their guest on board. Many thanks to John Hutchinson (Captain) for his simple narrating of this tragic incident in which, but for the Grace of God, he may also have lost his life.
Fascinating story. I only wonder, how did the fishermen know to call the airplane "B for Bravo", as they had written it on the cross? (Or maybe the cross just said "B".)
Found an image of it, it just says B:
dazzlin-dk.com/newimages/airman/cemetery/Cross01.jpg
No “grace of God” necessary, since it’s pure coincidence that Hutchinson swapped crews and something bad happened to the other captain. Although humans love to make patterns and connections where none exist, unless the other captain was downed by some severe, known, repeatable circumstance, the same thing simply wouldn’t have happened to Hutchinson. At all. Period. And to say “well it could have happened” simply opens up the infinite possibilities of the universe and is not realistic at all.
It was his crew. He must have known them all. This must have been very painful for him.
A pure gentleman and an excellent speaker. All of my respect.
This guy is fascinating. Please do some more with jh. He should have his own flying you tube channel.
So much crap on the Web, yet this brilliant interview has only a few thousand views.
weird isn't it. I've probably seen whole interview at least 10 time slol it seems strange to me that it hasn't been watched a million times.
John Hutchinson is a walking Diary of aeronautical events, his comments are all clearly explained,in full detail, if only everyone did as good a job.!
It's cool to hear stories that involve Borneo... especially because I live in Borneo!
Good work,thanks
Cheers
This story is an excellent example of the emotion, pattern seeking, and basic biases of the human thought process. Although it is obviously an emotional guilt that is hard for Hutchinson to escape due to the human emotional system, it is in no way based in any reality that he “dodged” the situation. It is astronomically impossible odds that Hutchinson and the captain he replaced would have been at the same place, at the same time, in the same circumstances. One immediately thinks of the impact of switching one’s self with the ill fated captain, but in reality their experiences would be absolutely separate and distinct experiences. Of course if a string of occurrences had occurred, then some connection of risk might have been obtained, but it wasn’t. So no divine or other intervention is necessary either, since there was actually nothing to avoid.
Ele está no museu onde se encontra o Concord!
Wow, what a story. Lucky man he didn't fly that day.
Formidable !
There's a TSR2 in the background....an aircraft that the RAF "didn't need", so much so that they had to build a replacement. Hanging over it is the English Electric Canberra, which was the "TSR1" (Tactical Strike & Reconnaissance 1). Quite the irony.
There’s one of those in Manchester’s Science and Industry Air Museum.
Seen that one. How did they get it in there.
Per Adua Ad Astra clear skies crew of B for Bravo
FOUR fuel cocks? I don't know the aircraft's layout - and would never claim to know more than the people who actually flew the Shackleton - but four fuel cocks seems a bit odd.......
factnotfictionpeople four fuel cocks for four engines ?
I was stationed at RAF Seletar those days in the CPRU (Command Photographic Reproducttion Unit (FE) The sad story was huge news due to the fact a change of plan by John Hutchinson was (his) LifeSaver.I recalled a photographic recce which later showed a set of stones laid out on the sand with the letter B (Bravo). The actions of the Fisherman and presumably his colleagues ,was creditable and a similar crash into the ocean by a Bristol Beaufighter from Seletar where the pilot was unable to escape but the TTO was thrown out of the aircraft, he (the TTO) was saved by a Chinese Fisherman and brought ashore.The fisherman was awarded a a miserable $200.00 (two hundred) Singapore currency for his saving the downed airman..
lab rat )
09:50 so stupidity killed the crew.