"Flight Risk" is an episode of JAG that first aired on October 24, 2000. Directed by Bradford May. Written by Jonathan Robert Kaplan.
Two naval aviators pick up an upgraded F-14 Tomcat from defense contractor Frohl Technologies. Soon after, their plane crashes.
Commander Rabb is sent out to investigate the crash and notices that a different aircraft's power plant is missing a constant speed drive (CSD), an important component in a modern fighter jet. The mechanics admit that it was cannibalized to be installed on a different F-14.
It's determined that the official Navy rep Lt. Commander Holstford (Ted King) had ordered that the CSD on the crashed Tomcat be removed and installed on a different plane. However, as Rabb prepares to prosecute, Congresswoman Bobbi Latham (Anne Marie Johnson) swoops in and informs Rabb that Holstford has been given immunity in return for testimony on fraud and waste at Frohl Tech.
Rabb attends the hearing. Holstford testifies to intentional carelessness and falsification of maintenance reports in order to stay within budget of the F-14 upgrade contract bid that they won. However, there is audio of Holstford offering to change his testimony in exchange for presumably some kind of money.
Since Holstford perjured himself, his immunity is cancelled and the Navy is free to prosecute him. Rabb convinces Admiral Chegwidden that it would be more productive if he can defend Holsford so that Frohl Tech's corruption can be exposed.
However, Mr. Mic Brumby (Trevor Goddard), acting as Frohl Tech's lawyer, makes it extremely difficult for Rabb to find anything. In desperation, Rabb takes an F-14 up with Frohl Tech's test pilot Wilson (David Hayward) in the back seat, then fakes the effects of a CSD malfunction to convince Wilson to testify. His testimony and a last minute "gift" from Mr. Brumby allows Frohl Tech's corruption to be exposed and Holstford gets a reduced sentence (eighteen months' confinement and hard labor).
Meanwhile, Lt. Colonel MacKenzie fills in for Lt. Singer on a case of stolen lobsters. Aside from a very brief summary, we don't really see or hear anything else about the case. There are no guest stars for the three defendants, and we aren't even told whether Singer was supposed to be defending or prosecuting.
Tropes
- Curse Cut Short: Once Wilson realizes Rabb faked the uncommanded descent, he exclaims "You faked it! You son of a —"
- First-Name Basis: Lt. Roberts calls Mr. Brumby "sir", Brumby tells Roberts to call him Mic.
- Hauled Before A Senate Subcommittee: Holsford is given immunity from prosecution to testify to Congress about Frohl Tech's corruption.
- Hurricane of Puns: Mac gets a case that serves no narrative purpose other than provide Rabb, Roberts and Chegwidden the opportunity to say several puns.Mac: Three Navy divers stole eighty lobsters from underwater traps. One of Singer's cases. She's out sick.Rabb: Sounds tough. Hope you crack it.Roberts: Have you tried buttering up the judge, ma'am?Mac: One more word from either of you, I'm bringing you both up on charges.Rabb: Oh, she's reaching her boiling point!Mac: (to Chegwidden, who has just come near them) Sir, it's gonna be justifiable homicide.Chegwidden: (to Rabb and Roberts) Gentlemen, we maintain a harassment-free workplace. (to Mac) Colonel, I expect a Marine to have a tougher shell.
- Improbable Piloting Skills: Rabb fakes a pitch stability loss ostensibly caused by a malfunctioning electrical component in the jet engine, putting the aircraft into a spin. This was done intentionally to scare Frohl Tech’s test pilot into testifying.
- Orbital Shot: At the beginning of the episode, for Holstford's talk with a couple of technicians, the camera rotates around the three of them a couple of times before settling on Holstford.
- Passed-Over Promotion: Lieutenant Commander Holsford was passed over twice for commander and would be out of the Navy in a year. Frohl Tech then earned his loyalty by offering him a cushy civilian job.
- Plea Bargain: After the news breaks of Frohl Tech getting a slap on the wrist for their malfeasance, Mac and Rabb discuss Holstford's status.Mac: That doesn't change anything about Holtsford, he's still guilty.Rabb: Well, a little less than he used to be. Wilful dereliction. Six months' hard labor.Mac: Negligent homicide. Two years.Rabb: Eighteen months.Mac: Deal.
- Take That Us: Rabb tells two pilot jokes to try and get a mechanic to help him. The first is about a "pilot's personality is his birth control" while the second quips that "unlike a jet engine, a pilot never stops whining even when on the ground."
