Pilot loses hydraulics over Baghdad

On April 7, 2003, Captain Kim Campbell, a US Air Force pilot, was flying an A-10 Thunderbolt II when all hydraulics failed. The system, which controls flight surfaces like flaps and ailerons, was lost due to enemy fire, though the exact type of weapon remains uncertain.

Plane veers toward Baghdad

The A-10 violently veered to the left, pointing toward Baghdad, and stopped responding to the pilot's commands. With no hydraulics, the plane could not be controlled normally, leaving Campbell with only one option: to attempt a manual landing or eject into the city.

Manual reversal mode activated

Campbell switched to the A-10’s manual reversal mode, a backup system that uses cables, pulleys, and levers. This allowed her to fly the plane by muscle power, without hydraulic assistance. She described the system as extremely challenging, but she found it manageable once engaged.

Flight to Kuwait without hydraulics

Campbell flew the damaged aircraft over the clouds for about an hour, relying solely on manual controls. She could not see the extent of the damage through the rearview mirrors, but she focused on reaching the base in Kuwait. The real challenge was yet to come: landing the plane in manual reversal mode.

Successful landing under extreme conditions

Despite the risks, Campbell decided to attempt the landing rather than eject. With a damaged plane and no hydraulics, she landed the A-10 almost perfectly. This feat is rare, and some accounts suggest she may be one of the few, if not the only, pilot to successfully land in manual reversal without destroying the aircraft.

Legacy of the flight

The A-10, aircraft number 81-987, was too damaged to fly again and is now displayed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. For her heroic act, Campbell received the Distinguished Flying Cross. She is now a retired colonel and continues to share her story with military audiences and young women interested in aviation.