I think (though I am not an engineer) that if the nose had been up a few degrees they wouldn't have had the breakup they did. It was a very good program though. One thing they didn't address was fire on impact. So many casualties occur from smoke inhalation. Maybe next time. At least this bird didn't get sent to Africa to run revenue flights.
I think the nosewheel dug into the sand, snapping the nose section off. If the "landing" had been on a runway, the nosewheel might have collapsed but the nose would have been pushed up, leaving a crease across the top of the fuselage, like the ANA 767 rough landing a few months ago.
That's what they determined on the show that the nose wheel dug into the sand and that force caused the nose section to fly off. It was interesting to see the main gears flying past the windows doing what they should have done. It was a well done documentary though.
That dry lake bed is even dryer than Edwards. I'll have to check local listings and watch this episode. We need the tail number if anyone has it. BTW, our Long Beach Bureau Chief pointed out by email that, "If that had been a Douglas plane, the nose wouldn't have broken off." TOUCHÉ !
I think (though I am not an engineer) that if the nose had been up a few degrees they wouldn't have had the breakup they did. It was a very good program though. One thing they didn't address was fire on impact. So many casualties occur from smoke inhalation. Maybe next time. At least this bird didn't get sent to Africa to run revenue flights.
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DeleteI think the nosewheel dug into the sand, snapping the nose section off. If the "landing" had been on a runway, the nosewheel might have collapsed but the nose would have been pushed up, leaving a crease across the top of the fuselage, like the ANA 767 rough landing a few months ago.
ReplyDeleteThat's what they determined on the show that the nose wheel dug into the sand and that force caused the nose section to fly off. It was interesting to see the main gears flying past the windows doing what they should have done. It was a well done documentary though.
ReplyDeleteThat dry lake bed is even dryer than Edwards.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to check local listings and watch this episode. We need the tail number if anyone has it.
BTW, our Long Beach Bureau Chief pointed out by email that, "If that had been a Douglas plane, the nose wouldn't have broken off." TOUCHÉ !
She was XB-MNP c/n 21348.
ReplyDeleteJohn(Liverpool, UK)
Valuable information. Thank you very much ! We'll check it out !
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