Originally Posted by
sycamore
Would it have been possible to retract the other wheels,and then land on the wing tanks/belly...?
If Plan `C` would have been instigated(Ejection),where would it have been done?,..are there any available night rescue helos available on base,nearby....no mention ,and time was running out...? Weather in `ejection area...?
Any possibility that the MP `dipped` under the ILS due to his `lead` having just done a `go-around`, and possible wake-turbulence near the threshold...?
sycamore,
The structural failure the MP had, included the seperation of the left drag-brace, from the drag-brace support fitting. As the system B hydraulic line to the drag-brace mounted down-lock actuator is routed along the route where the seperation of the drag-brace and brace fitting occurred, it severed the system B line, thereby depleting system B in a matter of seconds, thereby precluding any further retraction or normal extension of the landing gear. 5 years ago we had this exact failure to occur just as the jet rotated, when a blown tire shook the drag-brace support fitting apart. In this case, the pilot was experienced, it happened during daytime, he had a full tank of gas (just after T/O) and the SOF elected to contact LM's conference hotel hotline early in the proces. The fire & rescue guys even had some of the broken parts collected and laying on the ops desk within 30 minutes of the incident. In this case LM's engineers advised agains an arrested landing attempt and it was decided to perform a controlled ejection over the water.
The linked video shows footage from the lead aircraft as he inspected the strikken aircraft and described the condition of the gear to the SOF and LM's engineers. It gives som impression to the degree of the damage, and also indicates (to me at least) that the hanging drag-brace will most likely hit the cable before the hook and by doing so, it might hinder a succesfull engagement.
The video is an hour long program with interview of the pilot, however if you slide to 7:55 you can see the footage i am talking about. The beginning also show the controlled ejection filmed by the SAR helo, as well as 42:43 into the video.
(Sorry, still not allowed to post URL's)