The City of Oak Harbor posted this to its Facebook page on 2026-01-20 10:54:56.
UPDATE 3:
PBY lift should be between 11:00am-12:00pm tomorrow (1/21).
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UPDATE 2:
Lift has been canceled for today. They will try again tomorrow.
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UPDATE 1:
We want to share an update on why today’s operation did not take off as planned per Barry Meldrum the
Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum.
During pre-flight checks, a warning light appeared inside the helicopter cockpit indicating a potential issue with the grapple system. Out of an abundance of caution, the flight crew and mechanical team paused the operation to assess the situation.
As the helicopter increased lift, it became clear that the aircraft being carried was not maintaining the proper angle needed for stable flight. Instead of staying slightly angled downward, it began to level out and lift in a way that made it unsafe to proceed. Safety is always the top priority, and continuing under those conditions was not an option.
The team has determined that adjustments are needed, including adding additional line length and re-centering the load, to ensure everything remains stable and secure before attempting this again.
We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding. These decisions are made carefully and intentionally to protect the crew, equipment, and our community.
We’ll share updates once a new plan and timeline are confirmed or follow the Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum for info.
