B-52H Crew Earns Award for Safe Landing After Engine Failure

The crew of a B-52H bomber, Scout 94, safely landed after losing power to four of its eight engines in December 2022, demonstrating exceptional airmanship and professionalism that earned them an award from Air Force Global Strike Command.

On the evening of December 13, 2022, Capt. Charles Powell, Capt. Matthew Walls, and Lt. Col. John Conway were flying from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. During their descent, the bomber’s left-side electrical generators failed, and all four engines on the plane’s left wing went dead. This sudden failure caused the plane to enter an uncontrolled left roll and lose altitude rapidly.

“The emergency was sudden and caused brief but extreme disorientation to myself and the other crew members,” Walls said. The aircraft went completely dark, and controlling it became a battle.

The crew of Scout 94 fought to regain control over Bossier City, Louisiana, preventing a potential catastrophe in a populated area. Retired Air Force Col. Mark Gunzinger described the situation as one of the direst emergencies a B-52 crew could face, with asymmetric thrust threatening to put the plane into a spin.

Approximately three minutes into the emergency, Powell was able to restart two of the failed engines, stabilizing the aircraft. The crew then declared an emergency with air traffic control and made a non-standard right turn to avoid bad weather.

“I was very fortunate to have a crew who handled their responsibilities so I could focus on the one thing that mattered in the moment—fly the jet,” Powell said.

The crew regained control of the B-52 at roughly 1,200 feet, a critically low altitude for recovery. Gunzinger noted that this altitude was near the threshold where he would advise the crew to eject.

With six engines functioning, the crew safely landed the aircraft. For their outstanding performance, the crew of Scout 94 was awarded the Air Force Global Strike Command General Curtis E. LeMay award.

“It was fast and intense, and there wasn’t time for discussion, just action. In my opinion, everyone fell into their role and did what was required,” Walls said.

Conway praised Powell and Walls for their quick response and poise during the emergency, crediting their training for the successful outcome.

Gunzinger, recalling his own experiences with in-flight emergencies, emphasized the crew’s exceptional handling of the situation. “This crew did one hell of a job recovering that aircraft,” he said.