When a Stuck Plane Taught Me the Power of Simple Genius-KISS: Lessons from Jorhat Air Base

Hey there, fellow adventurers in leadership and problem-solving! If you've ever found yourself staring at a massive headache—be it a stalled project, a team conflict, or literally a multi-ton aircraft sinking into mud—then buckle up. Today, I'm sharing a real-life tale from my days as the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) at Jorhat Air Base in Assam, India. It's a story of how a seemingly insurmountable crisis was cracked wide open by a dash of out-of-the-box thinking, a sprinkle of trust in subordinates, and a hefty dose of the timeless KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Trust me, by the end, you'll be rethinking how you tackle your own "stuck" moments.

The Scene: A Soggy Surprise in Tea Country

Picture this: It's September 13, 2017, and the skies over Jorhat have finally cleared after an early morning downpour. For those not versed in Northeast Indian geography, Jorhat is this enchanting spot east of Guwahati, famed for its endless tea gardens (chai bagans) and vibrant Assamese culture. The air smells like fresh tea brew, and life's got that addictive rhythm—until it doesn't.

Our air base provided its runway to the civilian flights, including Jet Airways' services to Guwahati, Kolkata, and Delhi. Technical support was bare-bones, just enough for the handful of daily ops. That Wednesday afternoon, Jet Lite Flight 7048 touches down on runway 22 at 1:45 PM. The pilot, perhaps a bit green on our narrow IAF taxiways, veers right... and oops. The right main wheels slip off the pavement into the rain-soaked grass. Passengers are safely deboarded, and thankfully, the plane's clear of the main runway, so ops continue uninterrupted.

Stuck Jet Lite Flight at Jorhat

But here's where it gets dicey. Jorhat's grassland? It's like a sponge on steroids—high water table, weak soil. Even rugged off-roaders sink like stones here. As hours tick by, the massive jet starts settling deeper, threatening the right engine mount. Urgency spikes. Jet Airways' manager calls for backup, but no heavy-duty towing tractor is on hand. Our IAF light tractors were for fighter jets and An-32s, not commercial behemoths. They scramble a team from Kolkata, who arrive, assess, and... shrug. Towing with light gear? Nope. Digging? Makes it sink faster, quicksand-style. From Guwahati? Too far, too slow. The problem's ballooning into a full-blown nightmare.

Sunken Right Wheel

The Quicksand Phenomenon!

The Crossroads: Watch or Dive In?

As an AOC, I could've played it safe: "Not my circus, not my monkeys." Jet Airways' mess, right? But no—full base ops were at stake, and leadership means stepping up. I rallied my officer team, hit the site, and opened the floor: "All ideas welcome."

Enter Shri Vikas Dogra, my Garrison Engineer from the Indian Defence Service of Engineers. He's the guy handling station maintenance by MES—roads, buildings, you name it—but zilch on aircraft ops. Yet, he pipes up: "Sir, can I suggest something?" (Cue the hero music.) "Pull it out the way it went in—backwards." Brilliant in its simplicity, but we lacked heavy muscle. Except... nearby, JCB hoe-loaders were repairing the runway. "Let's sleep on it and reconvene with the operators tomorrow."

Dawn breaks, team's back with station manpower, Jet officials on board. We rig towing cables to the wheels, hitch two JCBs to the tail. Slow, steady pull—backed by manpower pushing and steadying. Boom! In minutes, the jet's back on solid concrete. Cheers erupt, relief floods in. What company experts deemed impossible? Nailed by a non-aviation engineer's fresh perspective.

Shri Dogra? He earned a commendation from the Chief of Air Staff for his ingenuity. (Side note: His wizardry later revived the Vijaynagar Runway—story for another day.) Today, he's a Director at the Ministry of Heavy Industries, proving great minds rise.

Leadership Lessons: Turning Mud into Mastery

This little escapade wasn't just about unsticking a plane; it was a masterclass in problem-solving for leaders everywhere. Here's what I took away—and what you can apply, whether you're commanding a base, a boardroom, or a start-up:

1. Embrace the KISS Principle: Simple Solutions for Complex Knots

Remember Kelly Johnson's 1960s mantra from Lockheed? "Keep It Simple, Stupid." It still slays dragons today—even in relationships! Our "complex" issue? A sinking jet defying expert fixes. The fix? Reverse the entry path with everyday JCBs. Leaders, ditch over-engineered plans. Strip problems to basics: What caused it? Reverse-engineer from there. Next time your team's buried in data overload or bureaucratic red tape, ask: What's the simplest path forward? It might just save the day (and your sanity). I made a simple line continuity tester using my ‘Geep’ Metallic torch to test the aircraft fuses at a remote location when we got stuck with an electrical problem with my An-32 once —this story later.

2. Foster Out-of-the-Box Thinking: Ideas Hide in Unexpected Places

Shri Dogra wasn't an aviation guru, yet his outsider view cracked the code. Leaders, cultivate curiosity beyond silos. Encourage wild ideas—JCBs towing a jet? Absurd, until it worked. In your world, that means cross-training teams, brainstorming without judgment, or inviting "non-experts" to meetings. Great innovations bubble up when you shatter echo chambers. Pro tip: Reward bold thinking, like Dogra's commendation, to spark more.

3. Encourage Creativity and Freedom of Expression: Trust Your Team

I didn't micromanage; I listened. Dogra felt safe voicing his "crazy" idea because the environment screamed "Speak up!" Subordinates thrive when trusted—give them space to experiment, with light supervision. Ban the blame game; celebrate tries, even flops. This builds a positivity powerhouse where ideas flourish. As a leader, your job? Create that safe space. Ask open questions, value every voice, and watch creativity explode.

4. Supervise Timely, But Let Them Own It

We discussed, planned, and executed as a unit—no solo heroes. Leaders, guide without grabbing the wheel. Timely check-ins ensure alignment, but ownership empowers. In our case, assembling the team morning-of turned theory into triumph.

In the end, this Jorhat jam reminded me: Leadership isn't about having all answers; it's about unlocking them in others. So, next time life's got you "stuck," channel your inner Dogra—think simple, think bold, think team. What's your stuck-plane story? Drop it in the comments; let's learn together!

Until next time, keep flying high—and keep it simple. 🚀

Jai Hind,

Air Cmde SK Verma (VSM) (Retd)