In the chaotic final days of the Vietnam War, South Vietnamese Air Force Major Buang-Ly loaded his wife, five children, and his mother onto a two-seat Cessna O-1 Bird Dog. Knowing Saigon was about to fall to the North Vietnamese, he desperately searched for the USS Midway. Locating the carrier, he dropped a note pleading for a clear deck and then skillfully landed the overloaded plane, a feat practically unheard of for such a small aircraft on a moving carrier. His daring act saved his family, and though the plane was pushed overboard to make room for other escaping helicopters, Ly's bravery became a symbol of resilience and desperation amidst the war's end.
In the waning days of the Vietnam War, as Saigon teetered on the precipice of collapse under the relentless advance of North Vietnamese forces, Major Buang-Ly of the South Vietnamese Air Force executed an audacious and improbable escape for his family. Faced with the grim reality of communist rule and fearing for their safety, Major Ly conceived a desperate plan. He commandeered a Cessna O-1 Bird Dog observation plane, a small, single-engine aircraft ill-suited for such a perilous undertaking, and loaded his wife and five children into its cramped cabin. His original destination was Con Son Island, where he hoped to refuel and continue his flight towards the perceived safety of the US Seventh Fleet positioned in the South China Sea.
However, upon reaching Con Son, he discovered that the island had already fallen to the North Vietnamese. With dwindling fuel reserves and the specter of capture looming, Major Ly made a split-second decision of extraordinary courage and skill. He spotted the USS Midway, a colossal aircraft carrier, a behemoth of American naval power, and resolved to land his tiny Cessna upon its expansive flight deck, a feat practically unheard of for a civilian aircraft, let alone one so small and burdened.
Communicating with the Midway via handwritten notes dropped from his plane, Major Ly pleaded for assistance and clearance to land. The crew of the Midway, initially incredulous, scrambled into action. Recognizing the gravity of the situation and the sheer audacity of the pilot's attempt, they cleared the flight deck, jettisoning expensive helicopters into the sea to make way for the incoming Cessna. The deck, designed for robust, high-performance military aircraft, presented a daunting challenge for the lightly loaded Cessna. Furthermore, the approaching twilight added another layer of complexity to the already precarious maneuver.
Despite the enormous pressure and inherent dangers, Major Ly, demonstrating exceptional airmanship, successfully landed the Cessna on the Midway. The landing, though bumpy, was ultimately safe, a testament to his composure and skill under duress. His family emerged from the plane, shaken but unharmed, having miraculously escaped the turmoil engulfing their homeland. Major Ly's daring act, a blend of desperation and unwavering determination, became an immediate symbol of resilience and the lengths to which one would go to protect their loved ones. His courage and flying prowess not only saved his family but also etched his name into the annals of aviation history, a poignant reminder of the human drama interwoven within the larger tapestry of the Vietnam War. He and his family were subsequently granted asylum in the United States, starting a new life far from the conflict that had forced them to flee their homeland. The Cessna itself became a museum piece, a tangible artifact of this extraordinary tale of survival against the odds.
Summary of Comments ( 128 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42826536
HN commenters largely focused on the incredible feat of landing a Cessna O-1 on the USS Midway's deck, highlighting the pilot's skill and bravery given the plane's lack of tailhook and the small landing area. Some questioned the historical accuracy of the number of people onboard, citing conflicting accounts. Others discussed the chaos of the fall of Saigon and the desperation of refugees fleeing the communist regime, with some expressing sympathy for the pilot's plight while others debated the US's role in the Vietnam War and its aftermath. A few commenters shared personal anecdotes related to the evacuation or their own experiences with the O-1 aircraft, adding a personal dimension to the historical discussion. The logistics of getting the family off the carrier and the fate of the plane were also points of interest.
The Hacker News post discussing the article "The South Vietnamese pilot who landed a Cessna on a carrier to save his family" has a moderate number of comments, enough to glean some interesting perspectives, but not an overwhelming amount. Many of the comments focus on the logistical and human aspects of Major Buang Ly's incredible feat.
Several commenters express awe and admiration for Ly's bravery and skill, especially given the inherent difficulty of landing a small, fixed-wing aircraft like a Cessna O-1 Bird Dog on the deck of an aircraft carrier, the USS Midway, which is designed for much larger and more robust aircraft. The precariousness of the situation, with Ly's wife and children aboard the Cessna, is highlighted, further amplifying the respect for his successful landing.
Some comments delve into the technical challenges of the landing. They discuss the lack of tailhook on the Cessna and how Ly managed to land without it, emphasizing the precision and control required. The potential consequences of a failed landing, such as crashing into the carrier's superstructure or going overboard, are also mentioned, underscoring the risk Ly took.
A few commenters mention the historical context of the fall of Saigon and the chaotic evacuation efforts, painting a picture of the desperation and urgency that likely motivated Ly's actions. His determination to save his family in the face of such adversity is a recurring theme.
One commenter shares a personal anecdote of witnessing the event firsthand, claiming to have been on the USS Midway at the time. This firsthand account adds a layer of immediacy and authenticity to the discussion, although its veracity is not independently verifiable.
There is some discussion regarding the challenges faced by South Vietnamese refugees after their arrival in the United States, and the difficulties they encountered in rebuilding their lives. This highlights the broader human impact of the Vietnam War and its aftermath.
Finally, a few comments link to additional resources, including a video of the landing and other articles about Major Buang Ly's story. This allows interested readers to further explore the event and learn more about the individuals involved. Overall, the comments paint a picture of admiration for Ly's courage and skill, combined with reflections on the historical context and human impact of the event.