Balsey Lives!
"So here's the scenario. It's 1970. You're in a DC-9. You've been flying three-plus hours from New York to the Caribbean Island of St. Maarten. Most of the flight has been over water, and the weather you have is over three hours old.
As soon as you get into radio range, you call the St. Maarten tower to get a weather update. The weather you receive is marginal but above minimums for the only approach available, which is an NDB approach to runway 9. The tower operator reports thunderstorms in the area.
You do some quick fuel calculations and estimate that you will land at St. Maarten with 6,000 pounds. In a DC-9 that's enough fuel for one or two approaches and then off to your alternate of St. Thomas.
In the descent, you get a message from San Juan Center that the weather in St. Maarten is below minimums, so you ask for vectors for San Juan Puerto Rico. You're well on your way to San Juan when you get a request from San Juan Center to call the tower operator at St. Maarten. You make the call and learn that the weather has improved and is now above minimums. What do you do now? You do some more mental gymnastics and determine that you will land in St. Maarten with 4,400 pounds. That's cutting it close, but you still have enough fuel for one approach and a divert to St. Thomas. Do you really want to tack on another hour of flying and several hours more duty time diverting to San Juan if you don't have to?
The pilot in this post, Captain Balsey DeWitt, decided to head for St. Maarten. He wouldn't make it to St. Maarten or any other airport. ALM Flight 980 would end up at the bottom of the Caribbean Sea, and Captain DeWitt would never pilot another commercial aircraft again.
Technology and automation have made flying safer, but we still have to make some tough decisions now and then. If you want to stay out of the chief pilot's office and the news, go the safe route.
If you would like to learn more about this story, you can get the eBook version on the Kindle for just 99 cents for the remainder of this month. If that's too much, head on over to Goodreads and enter for a free giveaway, also ending February 1."
Emilio is a master of writing
Nonfiction Aviation stories
Enjoy the Journey!
XO Karlene
Thanks Karlene for the post. I must point out, though, that Balsey is still very much alive. We still stay in contact.
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Emilio
Emilio, I am so glad to hear he lives! This is why I have to read the book... Pulled me in. I thought the only reason he would never pilot another plane. Okay... please tell him I am so glad he lives!
DeleteEmilio, we flew Lear Jets together for a company out of St Louis, N45AJ we took a lighting strike on climb out of CMH on our way to BWI one morning. 1987
DeleteKarlene... I assume this means Balsey died? I flew with him at ONA.
ReplyDeleteRon Hart
Ron... you are correct. He lives. I didn't read the book and Emilio is such a good writer... I was thinking that was why he never piloted another plane again. I am so glad I can give him life again! Edited the blog. Thank you!
DeleteI'm really sorry to hear of Capt. DeWitt's passing. I would have liked to meet him in person, but at least I got to speak to him. As far as I'm concerned, Sully Sullenberger has nothing on Balsey DeWitt.
ReplyDeleteUnknown... he is alive. My mistake. When I return home... I will read the book! Please know... he lives. I just thought that was why he didn't fly again. Now, I can't wait to read this... sounds like an amazing flight!
DeleteSomeone should ask him why he flew at a much lower altitude than the computer flight plan called for, made several approaches ( dirty ) never made the announcement " BRACE FOR IMPACT" The PA system was working , as testified to by previous Captain, and in perfect order. This guy just did not like talking on the PA in any circumstance...I know...I flew with him many times and on that particular route... His First Office, Harry Evans, who Balsey was responsible for having him fired one year prior, was in the right seat on his first flight back with the company after a year off....ALPA got his job back on a technicoloty . Must have been one wonderful flight sitting next to each other....Dis anyone mention that Harry Evans inflated a 25 man life raft inside the aircraft at the foward entry doorblocking then exit...he eventually deflated it by stabbing it withna plastic knife....nobody mentions these facts
ReplyDeleteWow, now this is interesting. Perhaps the sequel to the book! There's always two sides for every story.
DeleteI have heard this story years ago from several ONA pilots. Really unbelievable. Balsey stopped flying way before the airplane did.
ReplyDeleteMust be one heck of a story there!
DeleteI knew Captain Dewitt and his family. Haven’t seen them since he got out of the USAF. After loosing his job with ONA, I believe he moved to upstate NY. Haven’t heard from them since. Martin Bruce
ReplyDeleteIt's a small world for sure!!!
DeleteKarlene, I don't recall if we have ever communicated over Balsey and Harry Evans. I was in Harry's new hire DC-9 class at ONA in 1969. I did communicate with Emelio briefly. Their are many references to my ONA experiences on my blog at ronniehartblog.com/the-airline-years to begin. I enjoy your blogspot... checkout my aviation art while you are there if you have a moment. Thank you. Ron Hart
ReplyDeleteHey Ron, Thank you for your comment and for providing your website. Your art is incredible as is your blog too. We'll have to do a write up for you on my blog. Anytime you want! Email me.
DeleteJust wanted to add that Balsey is still very muuch alive and well here in upstate NY. I just had a long, enjoyable conversation with him at the Beaverkill cemetery where he was putting up flags on veterans' graves the day before Memorial Day 2020.
ReplyDeleteYes, we determined that! Thank you!
DeleteKarlene, I ran across this thread recently and wanted to let you know I said all I needed to say about my experience with Balsey in my recent memoir. See: ( www.hartart.com/author). I wasn't a fan of his but I also was not in the cockpit when this accident occurred so am hesitant about being judgemental. I would be happy to provide you with a copy of "Surviving the Cuckoo's Nest," available on Amazon. Cheers, Ron
DeleteHey Ron, thanks for the message. First-person knowledge is something difficult to overlook and hard not to be judgemental. Sometimes we can just be thankful we're alive to be so. I just checked out your website and your book. Looks great!! Also... I feel like I'm surviving the Cuckoo's nest at this moment. Thank you for the offer... but I just order your the Cuckoo's Nest... arriving Wednesday! Looking forward to reading and writing a review! Thanks for saying hello. Karlene.Petitt@gmail.com
DeleteKarlene,
ReplyDeleteThank you and I believe you will enjoy some of the flying stories; all true of course(I was there).
All the best,
Ron
Thank you Ron! I'm in Amsterdam now... so I should have a book when I return home.
DeleteMy Name is Krystal DeWitt-Le vine. Iam proud to call this man my uncle Dean. I❤️ He was a loving, kind, compassionate man. He was always on my side. When I was in 7th grade it looked like I was going to fail because of Math & science. He took me into my Aunts & his home. Tutored me & got me though it all. My uncle was very smart. Being a Captain of United Airlines took alot to get there. He NEVER put the plane in automatic,he always flew the plane. I would like to say also that whenever he flew a flight, he would bring little children into the cockpit.Well if you want to hear the rest of my wonderful uncle then read the book.
ReplyDeleteMy uncle passed away last Friday night, in his sleep. He was 91yrs old. I had talked to him on the wed before he passed. When we were getting off of the phone, I said I Love ❤️ you Uncle Dean & he said "I love ❤️ you too peanut. I will 4ever miss him & never forget him. He was the oldest out of 6 children . My heavenly father died on July 24th & he was the baby. I hope my heavenly 🙏🏻 father, my grandparents who I must add were the best. I have to say I will never forget him & everyone one else who has passed. I love ❤️ you daddy, uncle Dean, & the 2 best grandparents in the world. Iam a better & lucky person to call the ppl my family. RIP 🙏🏻 Uncle Balsey Dean DeWitt #1
Krystal, Thank you so much for sharing this story!!! I am so sorry for the loss of Uncle Dean, and for others in your family... but you were so loved by them and had wonderful people in your life. They are with you always. So amazing. And... to pass in your sleep at 91 years old is the best way to go. Especially when you can say good bye and were able to send your love before he traveled on the next journey.
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