Following year, long holidays in Malange, Angola.
Two more flights on the AF B-707. 1st of all, I must tell you of a big fault on these 2 airplanes! They were a mixed configuration type, therefore they could be used for Cargo too. So, they had a big side door (you can see on this photo). Just before landing, it was an absolute nightmare for the passengers sitting near the door, as it would 'rain' profusely on them! The cabin attendants would glue the air sickness bags to the plastic ceiling covering, sometimes even worst, as they got full, they'd land on you for an increased shower!
The return flight, end of September, on of the most 'interesting' in my life... LOL!
As I wrote before, we would be sitting in the 707 according to rank! As my Father was then Colonel, and no General on-board, we were right on the 1st row. Next to us, an Air Force Lt. Col and his Wife! I presume he was one of the other Captains of the B707.
As I explained before, due to the Colonial Wars, Portuguese Airplanes could not overfly Africa, and we had to go on the Ocean in front.
When we were flying over the Canary Islands, around 3 hours from our Lisbon Destination I heard a very suspicious cranking and whistling sound from one of the 2 engines on our side. Some minutes later, the flight Captain came to salute his Colleague, sitting next to us. He said: "We just lost 1 of the engines, this will now be junk"... And then, he left.
Normal rest of flight, if somewhat slower...
But the landing in Lisbon...
We were too high and too fast on approach. So, he just did a tremendous nose dive, the Boeing shacking and rattling all over, and could only stop in the grass, already outside the runway!
The Pilot sitting next to us, was fanning himself with a pillow while his Wife was positively green!
When we came to a stop, she just looked to her husband, like she wanted to kill him!
He just answered: "You know, he was a Fighter Pilot before..."
The funny part of the story, I met the same dastardly Captain some years after... This time, same as this airplane, Flying for TAP! (For another chapter...)