Simviation Forums

Two days ago:

Video - WWII fighter makes emergency landing at Victorian* aerodrome

*no time travel involved...

Remarks of the passenger made me smile.
Why would the pilot have chosen to land on the grass and not the runway. On grass you have a real danger of the aircraft digging in and being torn apart. Under the P51 you have a huge mud scoop in the form of the oil cooler, or a wing dropping etc. I would have thought that the runway would have been a better option. Ok, you would have a possible fire risk from the oil cooler, but it is behind the pilot. You would not have a dig in risk and the emergency services would be able to get to you a lot quicker on tarmac than over grass. However, lets hope that she is back in the air soonest.

Matt

Why would the pilot have chosen to land on the grass and not the runway. On grass you have a real danger of the aircraft digging in and being torn apart. Under the P51 you have a huge mud scoop in the form of the oil cooler, or a wing dropping etc. I would have thought that the runway would have been a better option. Ok, you would have a possible fire risk from the oil cooler, but it is behind the pilot. You would not have a dig in risk and the emergency services would be able to get to you a lot quicker on tarmac than over grass. However, lets hope that she is back in the air soonest.

Matt

I was thinking the same, although I do remember the world most experienced Spitfire pilot (at the time) decideing to land a Spit Tr9 at Coventry on the grass too in similar circumstances. Either way, it'll be a mess and very expensive. Maybe a little less shock load on not just the engine but also the bearers and structure landing under power on the grass?

Aircraft tend to slide on grass and grind on pavement.  It is usually a pilot's judgement call, there is nothing in a book saying do it either way.

My Instructor prefers to land the little C152's on grass if practical...

...less wear in the Tyre treads, he reckons... .... ....!

(There's a man with the Club's running costs on his mind)... ...!

Paul...G-BPLF... ...!