Clipped Wings - 59

Lt Mark Gordon, an F14D pilot from the Coral Sea, struck a civilian helicopter in Milan Italy undergoing NATO radar evasion exercises through mountainous valley. Six were killed and Gallo, an opposition political leader, demanded the US turn over the "cowboy" pilot for prosecution. Chegwidden sent Harm and Mac to defend & prosecute respectively. Warned that Capt Jack Murphy would protect his people and was "one tough nut." C nonchalantly mentioned that his daughter Francesca was in Milan and weaseled a promise to look in on her. Congresswoman Bobbi Latham gave H a ride to the airport and said she was representing the president who was considering "letting the Italians have him." Gordon was cleared for flight plan then to stay above 2,000 ft AGL. Italians claimed they posted a NOTAM about helicopter activity in area. Gordon struck the helicopter at 300 ft claiming that as he climbed to 2,000 he nearly hit a light aircraft, flipped into a dive then rose again just as the helicopter came above the trees. He couldn't recognize the aircraft except that it was green or yellow. His jet was outside of transponder range and H found damage to the jet and some green paint. The RIO "didn't see any aircraft or radar blips." The arrogant Italian Col Achilla Marcella tried to "set his ground rules" with H and had to be told what a defense attorney was for. Marcella confiscated all the tapes from the Italian air controllers and wouldn’t let H talk to them- that's my idea of cooperation he told them.

When H went to visit Francesca he was confused for an "older model." They had dinner and Francesca picked a fight with them and was rude. B found that the paint didn't match any known civilian aircraft paint and had been hand painted. Gordon gave Latham a letter to read to the families of the victims. A farmer named Antinori testified that the American jet had come up the valley at "two barns height." He thought he was smart when he deflected Hs attempt to trick him that he saw the jet then heard the sound. But H had him ID some silhouette drawings and he ID an Italian jet. Italians were claiming that Gordon was lying to get out of trouble so Latham suggested to H that they go "try it." She demanded to go with H on the flight, despite Ms discouragement. They replicated the flight and found that they ended up at 300 ft just where Gordon said he did. Latham, thoroughly thrilled asked "where she could sign up." H caught Capt Balducci in his lie about posting the NOTAMs on time by showing credit card receipts for a several hour lunch during the time. The data recorder of Hs flight gave info enough for B to locate a dirt landing strip. Francesca came to apologize to H, after telling C what she had done and getting reprimanded. H asked her to go help interpret for him when talking to the owner of the strip. They found Arianna Restivo, a young girl who took her fathers plane for a joy ride without permission. Francesca persuaded her to tell truth and testify. M said she would drop charges and Arianna hugged Gordon on the court steps to Latham's satisfaction for her PR. Francesca told H that it was "too bad they were parting as friends." H said he was just glad they were still talking and she said that she "had hoped for something more" and kissed him.