Beaver close call
- Thread starter sunny91
- Start date
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pbfoot
1st Lieutenant
idiot pilot taking off in a 90 degree X wind
RabidAlien
1st Lieutenant
Ouch.
vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Ouch!!!
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Oh Dear! Sounded like it was labouring - prop pitch set wrong maybe?
beaupower32
Tech Sergeant
DeHavilland Beaver carrying a family of four and two dogs crashed moments after liftoff from Lake Spenard on Sunday afternoon, according to a federal investigator.
The pilot, his wife, two boys and the pets were uninjured but they were "shaken pretty good," said the investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board.
The apparent cause of the accident, shortly before 2 p.m., was a strong gust of wind that apparently pushed the Beaver hard to the left; the pilot couldn't climb out of it before hitting ground next to a Lake Hood canal, said Howard Plagens, the NTSB investigator.
After the plane hit the ground, it crashed through a boundary fence and spun around on the grass next to the parking lot of the Alaska Department of Transportation office building, according to Plagens.
"He hit it just right not to have any injuries," Plagens said. "We are all very happy with that," he added.
Plagens said the pilot told him that there were no mechanical issues with his plane and liftoff was normal until the gust of wind struck the plane.
The planes N number is N915RC if any one wants to look up the accident report or for more photos of before and after the crash.
The pilot, his wife, two boys and the pets were uninjured but they were "shaken pretty good," said the investigator for the National Transportation Safety Board.
The apparent cause of the accident, shortly before 2 p.m., was a strong gust of wind that apparently pushed the Beaver hard to the left; the pilot couldn't climb out of it before hitting ground next to a Lake Hood canal, said Howard Plagens, the NTSB investigator.
After the plane hit the ground, it crashed through a boundary fence and spun around on the grass next to the parking lot of the Alaska Department of Transportation office building, according to Plagens.
"He hit it just right not to have any injuries," Plagens said. "We are all very happy with that," he added.
Plagens said the pilot told him that there were no mechanical issues with his plane and liftoff was normal until the gust of wind struck the plane.
The planes N number is N915RC if any one wants to look up the accident report or for more photos of before and after the crash.
lingo
Airman 1st Class
I can't think of one reason why he didn't chop the power as soon as the gust came. 
He could then have taxied back and taken off normally.
He could then have taxied back and taken off normally.
wheelsup_cavu
1st Sergeant
I can't think of one reason why he didn't chop the power as soon as the gust came.
For the same reason you might hit the gas instead of the brake when turning left at an intesection which causes you to get hit in the side of your car.
He panicked a bit or just made the wrong choice, IMO.
Have to say it was excellent camera work though, except when he drops to the ground he keeps the plane in focus and fairly centered in the picture.
Wheelsup
ccheese
Member In Perpetuity
I will ditto whoever said ouch ! I think he could have chopped the power and saved the airplane.
Charles
Charles
pbfoot
1st Lieutenant
Did anyone notice the windsock?
wheelsup_cavu
1st Sergeant
I didn't before you mentioned it.
You can see the windsock perfectly just as he lifts off.
I see your point about the 90 degree crosswind now.
I tried getting a screenshot from the video but I couldn't.
Wheelsup
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Even if he didn't notice the windsock (windsocks are there for a reason), the fact that the wind was kicking the spray from his wake hard to his left (typically goes straight back from the prop-wash) should have been a little clue...let alone the fact that the wind must have been blowing on him when he untied his crate from the dock...
What a dumbass...
I'll post a couple screens for ya', Wheelsup
What a dumbass...
I'll post a couple screens for ya', Wheelsup
Attachments
Aaron Brooks Wolters
Brigadier General
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
The guy took off in a crosswind and in the end didn't calculate his take off distance based on the wind conditions and take off performance. Gust of wind or not, he still should of ensured that he had enough take off area based on the known weather conditions, his payload, and the performance of the aircraft. Thank god they walked away from that.
VERSUCH
Airman 1st Class
I think it was the old....I saw this in a cartoon ..but I am pretty sure I can do it................i
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Glider
Captain
He must have known that he was in trouble almost as soon as he started. I don't buy the gust of wind as an excuse. The wind was 90 degrees certainly but it doesn't look as if it was very strong and I couldn't see signs of a gust. The trees were pretty stationary before during and after as were the flowers on the ground. I don't know the rating of the windsock but would be surprised if the cross wind was more than 10-15 kts.
When he started its possible that he was protected from the wind by the land behind him. However why he didn't cut the engine, line up down river and have a better attempt is anyone's guess
When he started its possible that he was protected from the wind by the land behind him. However why he didn't cut the engine, line up down river and have a better attempt is anyone's guess
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
agree Glider. Also I wonder what the density altitude was like?
Matt308
Glock Perfection
Looks like he rotated early and stalled. But wind or overweight, I can't tell.
Pb does have a point about the wind and this seems to be somewhat confirmed with what appears to be drift towards the shore during the run.
Pb does have a point about the wind and this seems to be somewhat confirmed with what appears to be drift towards the shore during the run.
