Lieutenants glide aircraft safely into Baldonnel after engine loses power

MEMBERS of the Defence Forces (DF) were honoured at the Annual Defence Forces Values Awards this week, including two lieutenants who safely glided an aircraft into Baldonnel after it lost engine power.

The awards took place in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, last Monday, November 13, where Lt Kenneth Godden and Lt Eoin Blake were two of the several DF members who were recognised.

On February 26, 2021, the aircraft that Lt Godden and Lt Blake were on experienced engine power loss at 16,000 feet over Co Kildare.

Lt Godden acted under intense pressure and conducted precise and accurate actions to ensure the engine shut down in a timely manner giving optimal glide performance.

The DF said Lt Godden displayed moral courage and engaged in textbook actions which resulted in the safe recovery of crew and aircraft.

His colleague, Lt Blake, secured the engine, preventing further damage which ensured that the engine did not disintegrate, with potential crew ejection avoided. With obscured vision, he glided the aircraft back to Baldonnel and landed safely and directed his student pilot, Lt Godden, through relevant check lists and cross-checked all required actions.

It should be noted that Lt Blake qualified as a flight instructor the day before this incident – and was conducting the first instructional flight of his career when the incident occurred.

Other award winners included Pte Sean Martin, Pte Neil Martin, Cpl Lorraine Byrne, F/Sgt Thomas Deveraux, the late Sgt Maj Kenneth Hurley, and Cpl Barry Foley.

The event was the sixth iteration of the awards, whose recipients are Defence Forces personnel who have best displayed selflessness, loyalty, integrity, moral courage, physical courage and respect.

Nominated by their peers, these personnel were chosen as those who best exemplify the values and standards of Óglaigh na hÉireann.

The President of the European Court of Human Rights, Ms Justice Síofra O’Leary presented the Defence Forces members with their Values Awards in the company of Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, award winners and their families and colleagues.