Post by Bruce on Feb 3, 2016 18:26:58 GMT 12
Found on Facebook from Hawaii:
www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/31123468/small-aircraft-forced-to-land-on-water-south-of-oahu-after-experiencing-mechanical-issues?sf20225547=1
The pilot of a Cessna 337 Ditched it in a harbour in Hawaii after experiencing mechanical difficulties that prevented the undercarriage for extending. The media is applauding the great skil at carrying out a perfect water landing.
What they arent highlighting is the sheer stupidity of the choice to ditch as opposed to carrying out a wheels - up landing at an airport. A key point to consider is the 337 has a single cabin door, on the opposite side to the pilot. Getting out in a water landing situation has significant risks. landing on a hard surface wheels up however has negligible risks in a C337. I worked on repairs to C337 VH-ROY which landed wheels up at Ardmore in the early 1990s. There was next to no damage! The 337 has a structurally strong cabin floor, where the undercarriage motor and gearbox are mounted. Its pretty bombproof so the floor isnt going to crush or do anything nasty. It has a flat bottom, so will sit sit level and track straight (even better if it has a cargo pod!) The rear engine is high mounted, so only the prop tips will strike, It'll still need a bulk strip but you dont get major dynamic twisting. Its one of the best aircraft to land wheels up.
Interesting that ditching held more appeal to the pilot in this instance, and goodbye to another Skymaster...
www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/31123468/small-aircraft-forced-to-land-on-water-south-of-oahu-after-experiencing-mechanical-issues?sf20225547=1
The pilot of a Cessna 337 Ditched it in a harbour in Hawaii after experiencing mechanical difficulties that prevented the undercarriage for extending. The media is applauding the great skil at carrying out a perfect water landing.
What they arent highlighting is the sheer stupidity of the choice to ditch as opposed to carrying out a wheels - up landing at an airport. A key point to consider is the 337 has a single cabin door, on the opposite side to the pilot. Getting out in a water landing situation has significant risks. landing on a hard surface wheels up however has negligible risks in a C337. I worked on repairs to C337 VH-ROY which landed wheels up at Ardmore in the early 1990s. There was next to no damage! The 337 has a structurally strong cabin floor, where the undercarriage motor and gearbox are mounted. Its pretty bombproof so the floor isnt going to crush or do anything nasty. It has a flat bottom, so will sit sit level and track straight (even better if it has a cargo pod!) The rear engine is high mounted, so only the prop tips will strike, It'll still need a bulk strip but you dont get major dynamic twisting. Its one of the best aircraft to land wheels up.
Interesting that ditching held more appeal to the pilot in this instance, and goodbye to another Skymaster...
