“On 11 September 1970, Lt Col McCampbell was assigned a Functional Check Flight upgrading sortie, with Lt Col Edwin L. Proctor, the Instructor Pilot, occupying the rear seat of a T-33A. After 30 minutes of flight, one negative “G” was pulled for three to four seconds to check the fuel vent warning system; no abnormal conditions were noted. Approximately five minutes after the negative G maneuver, right aileron was applied to roll level from a left turn. The pilot stated it felt as though the stick was bumping against a solid object.
The pilots analyzed their situation and found that the aircraft could be controlled in the landing configuration
with only rudder and left aileron. They decided to terminate the mission. Since they would be making a downwind landing, the pilots requested that the departure end barrier be removed and that crash equipment be summoned. Then, making a wide left pattern and approaching downwind so that a left crosswind would be affecting the path of their flight, the pilots flew their aircraft to an uneventful full-stop landing.
Investigation disclosed that a bucking bar, used to replace rivets in the static ground receptacle beneath the right wing, had been left within the wing and had wedged itself against the aileron control cables.
The professional competence demonstrated by these pilots, resulted in the saving of a valuable aircraft.
WELL DONE!” (1)
Source: (1) https://www.safety.af.mil/Portals/71/documents/Magazines/FSM/1970s/197106%20-%20AerospaceSafety.pdf
Edwin L. Proctor, USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on May 2, 2019.
Lt. Col. Edwin “Ed” Lowe Proctor (USAF Retired), age 89, was a son of the late Pat and Ruth Proctor. He was also predeceased by his wife, La Ruth Ennis Proctor.
He was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, son, Granddad and “Papaw”. Ed attended North Carolina State University before joining the Air Force and earning his wings, along with the Distinguished Aviation Cadet honor, in 1952. He later graduated from the University of Omaha Nebraska; the Air Command and Staff College; and the U.S Army Command and General Staff College. While in the Air Force, he flew hundreds of combat missions in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and received The Air Medal, The Bronze Star Medal and The Distinguished Flying Cross in 1967. Ed also participated in a pilot exchange program with the US Navy where he flew missions off the USS Lexington and USS Midway, where he became the 91st Centurion; and was recognized as an Honorary Naval Aviator. After retiring from the Air Force, he had a successful real estate career in Lincolnton for over 20 years, and has been living in Pinehurst for the past two years.
Interment in Hollybrook Cemetery in Lincolnton.