Forced landing video

[danielfindling]

Just found this and thought I'd share this video of a recent forced landing on Youtube. Possible carburetor ice.

Here is the NTSB report.

http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/brief.aspx?ev_id=20130202X10430&key=1

Here is the video

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=related&v=JDQVN_G1bM4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?f&v=JDQVN_G1bM4

Daniel

[Bob Collins]

What do you think about that long flat highway down there?

[danielfindling]

What do you think about that long flat highway down there?
I was thinking the same thing. On the other hand, the snow likely absorbed a lot of energy and the likelihood of hitting a power line, car, or something really hard was probably higher on the road.

[SBaircraft]

Soaring pilots are experts at landing out and I know several competitive soaring pilots who have made 100+ land outs. Generally speaking, the soaring community teaches that "you can't get hurt in dirt." A plowed field usually works best. Beyond that, the soaring community has plenty of articles, presentations and even full books dedicated to the subject. There is a lot of good information out there for people looking to learn more.

Powered pilots usually have less training and experience with off-field landings. During an emergency, they are more likely to be drawn to anything that "looks" like a runway. Although roads look like runways, they are very likely to have signs, posts, wires, traffic and other hazards.

In this case, the snow was certainly a factor. In a sailplane, flipping is less likely because they tend to slide along nicely on the belly in the event the wheel digs into soft ground. In an airplane or tail dragger, I would have given more consideration to the hardness of the landing surface. However, I'm in no position to say what I would have done in this particular case because I wasn't in the airplane and I didn't have a good look at the landing options. However, fields are usually the safest option so I don't doubt this pilots judgement.

[Floatsflyer]

What do you think about that long flat highway down there?

In subsequent interviews both pilot and passengers said that the highway was a considered option but it was dismissed because of traffic and crossing power lines. All felt that the snow covered field represented the least possible harm. I would never judge, I wasn't there to decide based on factors. Bottom line, 4 people and a baby walked away almost totally uninjured physically. The mental harm remains to be seen. I say, very well done Kid!!! Get back up on the horse asap.

NOW, to add insult to no injury, I just read today that the pilot's aircraft insurance expired at midnight the night before the forced landing and he had not/forgot to renew in time. The insurance company says they will not cover the loss because there are no extentions to premium due dates. Now that really sucks the big one! If my insurance(home, auto, etc) was with that company I'd cancel and let them know why.

[Bill Greenwood]

The pilot probably made the right decision not to try to land on the highway if there was traffic. A light aluminum airplane will come out second best in a collision with a car, not to mention any large trucks.
I'd try to go in the snow field gear up if possible.
I had a friend who lost an engine in his T-6 at low altitude over the flat snow covered field north of Denver. He had only moments and no real options, fortuantely had the gear up already and did very little damage, except for the prop, but he says he slide for a half mile.

The cause was found to be a quirky fault in the fuel shut off and selector valve that cut out fuel to the engine.

[Bob Collins]

Just want to make clear that in asking about the road I'm in no way judging the pilot, nor am I interested in judging the pilot. I'm engaging in the "what would I do in this situation" process that I hope would help me in a similar situation.

[Greg S]

If he forgot to keep his insurance current, I wonder what else he may have forgotten. Can't fault the insurance company on that one. I understand most av. ins. policies do not have extensions or grace periods.

[pacerpilot]

I think he did a very good job. Despite the snow, he chose a good spot and prepared his passengers properly. He'll get another airplane and be a better pilot for his experience.

[Bill Greenwood]

The NTSB report says, "the pilot and his four passengers". That makes 5 people in what I think is a four passenger plane.

And I am not expert on carb ice because I fly mostly injected engines, but I thought carb ice would be most likely to form under low power conditions, not full throttle as on climb power, as well as it being most likely to form at high humiidlty and around 68* and it was too cold there, below freezing.

[Bob Collins]

Carb ice can form under a wide range of temps. Also, I looked up the weather at that airport at the time. The dewpoint spread was only
2 degrees.

[Joe LaMantia]

The dewpoint spread is the key, and a 2 degree spread is very conducive to carb ice anywhere from zero to 70 degrees or so. I was in a C-119G as a loadmaster in the USAF and we experienced carb ice on climb-out from Goose Bay. This was mid-October with temps in the teens, but remember Goose AFB is on the coast with lots of moisture present. The Pilot followed the check-list and we were able to "burn" out the ice with out
any deviation from our flight plan. Sure were lots of trees and no open fields, the C-119 is not a good glider or flyer on one engine, but USAF training paid off. The temps on the ramp that day were low 20's.

Joe

[pittsdriver3]

Anybody else notice he didn't use any flaps? Looked like there were plenty of roads around there. I probably would have tried for one and if there was power lines then sidestep onto the snow covered field. Don

[rosiejerryrosie]

Roads do look like runways....but....in most cases .... they're NOT !
Of course open fields do look more inviting to those of us who are used to landing on turf....

[Richard Warner]

"The NTSB report says, "the pilot and his four passengers". That makes 5 people in what I think is a four passenger plane."

One of the passengers was the little baby.

[tonycondon]

i've got about 40 off field landings in gliders and only one has been on a road and that was only because it was the most perfect road in the world and all the fields were muddy. perfect like a solid mile with no power lines no sign posts no mail boxes and no cars. And i was still ready to slide over into the muddy field at the last second.

[Skydriver]

Stall warning upon landing means the lowest possible speed. I never heard the horn.

[Bob Collins]

Up here in flyover country (Minnesota) I always think a lake would be a good landing spot at this time of the year. Didn't see any lakes there, though. I fly an RV. A muddy field with nosegear is certainly an invitation for a quick stop and a noseover. I've always been taught that the longer you can make the "crash" last (dissipating energy), the better your survival chances. If I land a fixed gear tri-gear in a muddy field, I'm going to stop. Right away. But, yeah, I wrestle with this... pick a road stuff.

[steve pollina]

The dewpoint spread is the key, and a 2 degree spread is very conducive to carb ice anywhere from zero to 70 degrees or so. I was in a C-119G as a loadmaster in the USAF and we experienced carb ice on climb-out from Goose Bay. This was mid-October with temps in the teens, but remember Goose AFB is on the coast with lots of moisture present. The Pilot followed the check-list and we were able to "burn" out the ice with out
any deviation from our flight plan. Sure were lots of trees and no open fields, the C-119 is not a good glider or flyer on one engine, but USAF training paid off. The temps on the ramp that day were low 20's.

Joe
Hello from a fellow USAF loadmaster C-130As,Bs &Es 1965-1969. No worry about carb ice on a tuboprop, just lead deposits in Vietnam.

[bcocheran]

Hey All, New to EAA. Wanted to say hi and I am glad (and hope forever in the future!) that I do not have an unfortunate videos stuck on youtube for others to comment on! Man, talk about critics! I am proud the guy got everyone down safely!

[JimRice85]

I am proud the guy got everyone down safely!

That is what truly matters.