Single Page
Video: Pilot lands plane with no propeller
It might be a bit of hyperbole when The Atlantic Wire refers to the pilot of this plane, who successfully completes an emergency landing without a propeller, as "superhuman." But it still takes a hefty dose of skill to pull off a propeller-less landing, and about as much luck that there's enough forward momentum to maneuver the aircraft and a landing surface in sight. The single-engine Cessna 172 was reportedly on a training flight with a student, instructor and two passengers when the propeller detached in the skies above Mexico. Pilots are trained to be able to land an aircraft even with a complete loss of power, so a prop-less plane is one that the instructor deftly handles in a landing that's barely detectable in the video. According to the Atlantic Wire, a translation of one of the passengers conversations during the landing reveals that she "never felt so close to death." The most important part of engine or prop lost is not to try to make the plane fly when it cannot. It will most like happen again this summer at Merrill field and some damn fool try turn back to the airport. Just get the nose down and establish a glide and go about landing where you best can. Trying to get to an air strip kills people. It is not a big deal to land the plane. It is the same as normal landing. CG with 2 in back (thankfully a pair of young and reasonable light Conchitas) and the prop gone means an aft CG. A training flight meant there was probably no baggage in back. Good piloting in keeping the airspeed up to maintain elevator authority. The landing is on a road which calls of fine judgment if there’s any kind of traffic but it looks not to have been heavy from the ground shots. Seems the student in the left seat is using the door for glide path modulation which is something few people would think to do. Very good job of using your head and flying the airplane (what I expect of any Instructor) and by the student, and the gals in back not being a distraction, but one if them videoing the thing instead. Gliders land all the time without props... Friends of mine in El Paso, TX tell me one can get a really good car body repair in Mexico too... Yep, save $100 but risk getting killed in a drug war or having your head and body wind up in two different locations. I will keep my money here in the US creating jobs for Americans. -TomClark Gotta love those 3rd World Countries where you can bribe someone to sign off on your Annuals. -TomClark Yeah, did you know that Alaska Air gets the majority of their major work done in Mexico? I wonder what the squeeze is for a 737? OldHaines, I might add that I never saw one law or regulation that could not be easily ignored for the right price. -TomClark |
Comments