“On take off, shortly after rotation and beyond the take-off abort point, the SR-71 left engine surged, followed by progressive failure of the second stage turbine wheel…”
Colonel Thomas S. Pugh, one of the most experienced SR-71 pilots with over 900 hours, is the Blackbird pilot you see in the article’s main photo.
He received a “Well Done” medal on October 15, 1973, while serving with Detachment 51 Flight Test in Palmdale, for preventing the destruction of an SR-71. Lou Drendel quotes the “Well Done” in his book SR-71 Blackbird In Action, which reads as follows: “On takeoff, shortly after rotation and beyond the take-off abort point, the left engine surged, followed by progressive failure of the second stage turbine wheel. Aircraft single-engine control at this point was marginal but the take-off was continued. After the aircraft was airborne and during gear retraction, a fire warning light illuminated and was followed by the total failure of the left-hand engine turbine section. After safe single-engine speed was attained, the Commander completed engine shutdown. An intense fire in the left nacelle resulting from shrapnel damage to hydraulic, fuel, and oil lines was extinguished during the shutdown procedure. Extensive damage occurred to the entire nacelle, fuselage, and right rudder. Tower personnel confirmed that the fire was out. An elongated visual traffic pattern was flown in order to configure the aircraft for a single-engine landing. Landing weight was reduced and alternate systems were activated to properly configure the aircraft. A smooth landing was accomplished without further damage to the aircraft.”
Pugh, who was born on September 30, 1935, flew the B-47 and B-52 before being chosen for the SR-71 program. In 1969, he was transferred to the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (SRW). He flew SR-71s for the 99th and 1st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons while stationed abroad, conducting global reconnaissance missions. He was chosen for SR-71 Test Force employment at AFP-42, Palmdale, California. He oversaw both the Flight Test Division and the Flight Test Engineering Branch as Chief. On July 20, 1982, he took over as the unit’s commander after serving for two years as the 9th SRW Vice Commander.
On May 13, 2014, Pugh passed away.
Photo by Colonel Thomas S. Pugh / U.S. Air Force
