Tony Cumbo – Flight Data – July 2021

Wendel Green, the pilot of N8601A, contacted Tony Cumbo, ZAU Flight Data Communications Specialist, by using his cell phone and calling ZAU’s VSCS at the Flight Data position, stating that he was airborne over Milwaukee’s Mitchell Airport.  Tony attempted to verify the nature of the call (cancelling IFR, requesting an IFR clearance, etc.), but the connection unexpectedly terminated.

After several unsuccessful attempts, Mr. Green was able to re-establish communications with Tony.  Mr. Green reported departing Madison (MSN) Airport on a VFR flight plan and suffering an electronics and communications failure shortly thereafter.  After the call dropped, Mr. Green immediately called back, indicating he was returning to MSN. Tony notified Mark Tribby, the OMIC at the time, and the call dropped again. 

Tony contacted Madison Tower and briefed the controller of the situation.  When Mr. Green connected via VSCS again, Tony obtained the necessary information, established a relay with the MSN controller and, at Mr. Green’s behest, requested emergency equipment on standby.  Mr. Green was concerned about the status of his landing gear, since the visual indicators were no longer available due to the equipment failure.  As Mr. Green circled the Madison airport, the tower controller observed the gear down and cleared the aircraft for an emergency landing on Runway 36.  Immediately after the information was relayed to Mr. Green by Tony, the connection was lost.

As the aircraft approached to land, Mr. Green connected with Tony again and asked if he should land on the grass or on the runway.  Tony advised to land on the runway, if possible.  Mr. Green notified Tony that his flaps were non-operational, which Tony immediately relayed to the MSN controller. Tony remained on the line with the pilot throughout the approach, but the connection was again lost.  The MSN controller contacted the OMIC and advised ZAU that the aircraft had landed safely.  

Mr. Green called Tony yet again requesting taxi instructions and authorization to cross runways.  Tony again contacted the MSN controller to obtain instructions, but by that time an airport truck was alongside the aircraft, so the MSN controller advised Tony to instruct Mr. Green to follow the truck.  Mr. Green expressed his thanks for Tony’s assistance and the call ended.

Great job dealing with an emergency under unexpected and very unusual circumstances, Tony!