Chapter 15 - "A Hole - So Small, but of Exquisite Design" Summary and Analysis

For many months, Gann flies C-54s on long-haul missions. His crew is usually composed of Robertson as co-pilot, LaFrenier as navigator, Bradford as radio operator, and Millington as flight engineer. On one occasion, however, his crew was composed of Ditmeyer as radio operator and Braseman as flight engineer. Shortly after taking off from a socked-in Steensville, Newfoundland, with a load of passengers, the crew was unable to switch off the airplane's high-pressure hydraulic system. Within a few minutes, Gann sees a fight indicator illuminate, indicating a small forward baggage compartment is aflame. Relatively quickly, the cabin of the aircraft fills with dense smoke. The crew fights the fire as Gann performs an emergency turn, heading back to Steensville...