Maximizing survival in mountainous terrain forced landing
"Just a pilot"
Thread Starter
Maximizing survival in mountainous terrain forced landing
Putting the aircraft down with minimal impact may be the lesser of the challenges to survival. Suggestions as to ways to keep the airframe rolling down the hill?
Land at the bottom of it
Sorry, couldn't resist
Sorry, couldn't resist
Suggestions as to ways to keep the airframe rolling down the hill?
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
Suggestions as to ways to keep the airframe rolling down the hill?
Wax the skids?
Surely Crab's answer is the only one that makes sense? It has always struck me that if I had to auto in mountainous terrain, I'd aim for the bottom of a valley (preferably one with some flat stuff in it, like a riverbed or shallow river), thereby avoiding the OP's problem.
Much better than fixed wing, where over mountains you're pretty much SoL if the engine(s) stop.
Much better than fixed wing, where over mountains you're pretty much SoL if the engine(s) stop.
Wrong answer Crab!
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: eastcoastoz
Age: 76
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've given it some thought and I believe I've come up with an answer.
Land on the rotor disc (much wider than a pair of skids).
Then, when things stop spinning, you'll find the blades have augured into the landscape.
Finally, just take care when you undo your harness.
Land on the rotor disc (much wider than a pair of skids).
Then, when things stop spinning, you'll find the blades have augured into the landscape.
Finally, just take care when you undo your harness.
Purveyor of Egg Liqueur to Lucifer
RTFQ
Although the ac here is sliding and not rolling, I think this guy has it sussed
Although the ac here is sliding and not rolling, I think this guy has it sussed
"Just a pilot"
Thread Starter
Final into a mountainous area LZ
The engine quits. Dis air-plane am busted, so survival is the next question.
Do you:
Aim uphill of the biggest rock in sight, hoping it detains the wreckage?
Land tail down hill?
Try to hit a gully in the hillside?
Crash into the hillside, rolling down hill, shedding parts and killing all occupants...
I'm not enthusiastic for the last choice even though it appears to be "how things are done, old boy".
Do you:
Aim uphill of the biggest rock in sight, hoping it detains the wreckage?
Land tail down hill?
Try to hit a gully in the hillside?
Crash into the hillside, rolling down hill, shedding parts and killing all occupants...
I'm not enthusiastic for the last choice even though it appears to be "how things are done, old boy".
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,573
Received 422 Likes
on
222 Posts
I'd have thought that landing across the slope and then full lateral cyclic would keep it rolling down the hill. At least for the first 360 degrees.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: New Zealand
Age: 52
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
land at the bottom of the hill. you cant roll any further than that.
Also in forested areas, the trees are often just slightly further apart at the bottom, so there may be a clear enough space to crash land, or at least they may be wide enough apart, so that as you are smashing your way down you can collect the tree on the Right side of the aircraft, depending on rotor direction, to try to encourage the transmission to depart the aircraft backwards, rather than coming forward to kill you...
thats what i would do.
will let you know if i ever have to try it and are successful...
Also in forested areas, the trees are often just slightly further apart at the bottom, so there may be a clear enough space to crash land, or at least they may be wide enough apart, so that as you are smashing your way down you can collect the tree on the Right side of the aircraft, depending on rotor direction, to try to encourage the transmission to depart the aircraft backwards, rather than coming forward to kill you...
thats what i would do.
will let you know if i ever have to try it and are successful...
Chief Bottle Washer
And some were too polite to point out the error, concentrating on what he clearly meant to post
Crab,
Since when were ever "too polite"?
Since when were ever "too polite"?
Not too polite to point out that you missed out a 'you' in that post
Doh!
Since when were ever "too polite"?
Flying over the jungle mountains of Borneo with a single engined helicopter the technique, not that it was used, was to go for a river or stream. If it was going to be a noisy arrival then pointing it upstream or uphill stopped it disassembling itself quicker.
You then pulled out a pack of cards and start playing patience. In no time somebody will look over your shoulder and point out that there is a red seven to go on a black eight.
You're saved!
You then pulled out a pack of cards and start playing patience. In no time somebody will look over your shoulder and point out that there is a red seven to go on a black eight.
You're saved!