was hired by ONA in late 1968. His probationary period began in early January 1969, the day he completed training. Balsey,who was asked to resume his role as a check airman and flight instructor not long after leaving the Chief Pilotâs office, was one of Harryâs instructors during initial training. Balsey liked Harry but felt he didnât have enough experience to make it through training. Harry had about 3,000 hours of flight time when he was hired, mostly in light single- and multi-engine aircraft. The largest plane he had flown prior to ONA was a DeHavilland Twin Otter, a nineteen-seat turboprop aircraft popular with commuter airlines.
1
Going from a light twin to a medium-sized jet is a big leap for any pilot. To Balseyâs credit, he knew that personality conflicts can have a negative impact on a pilotâs performance. He was also aware that not all students were receptive to his style of teaching. So whenever he had a student he felt was on the verge of washing out, he would ask another instructor to take the student. If the other instructor concurred with Balseyâs assessment, which they usually did, then the pilot would wash out. In Harryâs case, he managed to squeak through by sheer determination.
Harry began flying the DC-9 primarily on cargo flights. Since he was new to the aircraft, captains were selective in deciding when they would let him fly. Over the course of his first year at ONA, Harry accumulated close to 600 hours of flight time in the DC-9, with about forty percent of that time as âsole manipulator of the controls,â meaning that he was flying under the supervision of the captain. 2
Harry was in his mid-twenties. He was much younger than the pilots he was flying with. He was married, of average height and weight, and had hair considerably longer than the short military style haircuts favored by the majority of the captains, most of whom were ex-Air Force. The difference in age and background made it difficult for Harry to fit in. 3
In January 1970, Harry was given a one-year probationary check-ride. He passed the ride, but Malcolm Starkloff, the Vice Presidentof Operations, decided to let him go anyway, stating that he had made the decision after hearing negative comments about Harry from some of the captains. 4
A pilot dismissed during probation has little recourse. Starkloff, however, had given Harry his termination notice one day after his probation had officially ended. Harry appealed the termination and was reinstated three months later.
Harry was given a new class date in April 1970. Ed Veronelli, who had replaced Balsey in New York, gave him his checkride after the completion of his training. Harry passed the ride, but it was obvious to Ed that Harry still lacked confidence. Harry requested to fly as an observer on a few flights before being assigned a trip. Ed agreed, but every time he tried to set him up to observe a flight someone else had the jump seat. So rather than have Harry sitting idle in New York, he sent him to Norfolk, Virginia to get in some observer time on the DC-9s flying the Quick Transport (QUICKTRANS) cargo flights.
5
Harry received twenty-five hours of observer time. He also flew one trip as a first officer before returning to New York.
On Friday, May 1, Harry learned from dispatcher Tony Delmar that he was scheduled to fly the New YorkâSt. Maarten flight the next day. Harry tried to get out of the trip, stating that he had not received any training on the route. He complained that he didnât have any experience with international procedures, and he hadnât received training on the LORAN. Delmar told him not to worry. He was scheduled to fly with an instructor pilot and would receive whatever training he needed on the flight.
6
Although he never came out and said it, part of Harryâs reluctance to take the flight may have had something to do with the knowledge that Balsey DeWitt was going to be the captain. The two had
1
Going from a light twin to a medium-sized jet is a big leap for any pilot. To Balseyâs credit, he knew that personality conflicts can have a negative impact on a pilotâs performance. He was also aware that not all students were receptive to his style of teaching. So whenever he had a student he felt was on the verge of washing out, he would ask another instructor to take the student. If the other instructor concurred with Balseyâs assessment, which they usually did, then the pilot would wash out. In Harryâs case, he managed to squeak through by sheer determination.
Harry began flying the DC-9 primarily on cargo flights. Since he was new to the aircraft, captains were selective in deciding when they would let him fly. Over the course of his first year at ONA, Harry accumulated close to 600 hours of flight time in the DC-9, with about forty percent of that time as âsole manipulator of the controls,â meaning that he was flying under the supervision of the captain. 2
Harry was in his mid-twenties. He was much younger than the pilots he was flying with. He was married, of average height and weight, and had hair considerably longer than the short military style haircuts favored by the majority of the captains, most of whom were ex-Air Force. The difference in age and background made it difficult for Harry to fit in. 3
In January 1970, Harry was given a one-year probationary check-ride. He passed the ride, but Malcolm Starkloff, the Vice Presidentof Operations, decided to let him go anyway, stating that he had made the decision after hearing negative comments about Harry from some of the captains. 4
A pilot dismissed during probation has little recourse. Starkloff, however, had given Harry his termination notice one day after his probation had officially ended. Harry appealed the termination and was reinstated three months later.
Harry was given a new class date in April 1970. Ed Veronelli, who had replaced Balsey in New York, gave him his checkride after the completion of his training. Harry passed the ride, but it was obvious to Ed that Harry still lacked confidence. Harry requested to fly as an observer on a few flights before being assigned a trip. Ed agreed, but every time he tried to set him up to observe a flight someone else had the jump seat. So rather than have Harry sitting idle in New York, he sent him to Norfolk, Virginia to get in some observer time on the DC-9s flying the Quick Transport (QUICKTRANS) cargo flights.
5
Harry received twenty-five hours of observer time. He also flew one trip as a first officer before returning to New York.
On Friday, May 1, Harry learned from dispatcher Tony Delmar that he was scheduled to fly the New YorkâSt. Maarten flight the next day. Harry tried to get out of the trip, stating that he had not received any training on the route. He complained that he didnât have any experience with international procedures, and he hadnât received training on the LORAN. Delmar told him not to worry. He was scheduled to fly with an instructor pilot and would receive whatever training he needed on the flight.
6
Although he never came out and said it, part of Harryâs reluctance to take the flight may have had something to do with the knowledge that Balsey DeWitt was going to be the captain. The two had
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