AWARDED DFC: 1
CONFLICT/SPACE FLIGHT/EVENT:  -
MODEL:  C-97

Citation:  1.) The President of the United States takes great pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Tenney H. Wheatley for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Co-Pilot of a C-97 aircraft while assigned to the 166th Combat Support Group, Greater Wilmington Airport, New Castle, Delaware, Delaware Air National Guard. On 5 December 1970, during an in-flight emergency over North Atlantic waters on a transatlantic flight to Lajes Air Base, Azores, the C-97 aircraft abruptly went into a nosedive caused by runaway cowl flaps on the number four engine. After the primary crew members tried many solutions to bring the plane back on course, Captain Wheatley suggested a solution and executed three actions which saved the lives of 12 people on board the plane. First, he shut down the number four engine to reduce the airflow. Second, he reduced the airflow over the stabilizer by using various flap settings, some up to 40 percent, to raise the tail out of the disturbed airflow. Finally, he slowed the aircraft to 130 knots which slowed the loss of altitude, enabling them to almost level out the plane at 6,000 feet. The plane began an imperceptible loss of altitude to about 1,500 feet above the sea. With these actions and with the coordination of the crew to continue maintaining control of the plane, they safely and successfully landed plane in St. John, Newfoundland. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Wheatley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force