Flight Safety Foundation Heroism Award

presented to

Barry Walze
Continental Airlines

For performing actions, under conditions of severe personal hazard, to secure the engines of a disabled aircraft and to rescue two victims trapped in the wreckage.

Mr. Walze was an airline lead mechanic waiting for a Boeing 727 that was being taxied by two other mechanics to the gate at Newark (New Jersey, U.S.) International Airport on June 7, 1997. He saw the aircraft approach at a faster-than-normal speed, then veer and strike a brick-and-steel terminal building. The force of impact was so great that the aircraft’s nose broke through the wall. The cockpit ceiling collapsed, trapping the two mechanics inside.

Mr. Walze immediately radioed for help and ran to the aircraft. He realized that two of the three engines were still running and could cause a fire or an explosion. Unable to gain entrance through the main cabin door, he ran to the rear of the aircraft and lowered the airstairs. He quickly reached the cockpit, but his access was hindered by the collapsed ceiling and a deluge of water from the terminal’s ruptured fire-suppression system. The water was flowing over many of the aircraft’s high-voltage electrical lines.

Immersed in water and surrounded by arcing electrical lines, Mr. Walze crawled into the wrecked cockpit and shut down the engines with the fuel shut-off controls. He freed the seriously injured left-seat occupant from the wreckage and pulled him back to the cabin. Mr. Walze suffered cuts on his hands and face from the jagged metal edges of the crushed cockpit roof. Despite these injuries and the hazards surrounding him, he returned to the cockpit and freed the other seriously injured mechanic. Mr. Walze was pulling the mechanic back to the cabin when rescue personnel arrived and took control of the scene.

His prompt and courageous action, taken with complete disregard for his own personal safety, reflects the highest traditions of the aviation community. Flight Safety Foundation and the award’s sponsor, Kidde Aerospace and Defense, are proud to recognize Mr. Walze with the Flight Safety Foundation Heroism Award.

FSF 51st annual International Air Safety Seminar
Cape Town, South Africa
November 18, 1998

Stuart Matthews
Chairman, President and CEO
Flight Safety Foundation

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