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Old 15th February 2009 | 00:41
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hightimecfi
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2
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From: Los Angeles, CA
Tailplane stall recovery

Part of the issue with the tailplane stall is 'snatch' of the control surface, more accuaratly called a 'reversal of the hinge moment.' The ice contamination at or near the leading edge results in a 'bubble' of separated flow on the underside (vacuum or lifting side) of the tailplane. As the AOA (of the tail) increases, the bubble grows in length, with the re-attached flow point moving further aft on the tailplane chord, until it encompasses the control surface. Then the control surface is 'sucked' into the bubble and the flow fully separates. This 'snatch' of the elevator will typically pull the control column right out the pilot's hands and slam it into the full nose down position.

Part of the reason for the 'apply up elevator' step in the tailplane stall recovery procedure is to move the elevator back out of the 'snatched' full down position, which helps get the airflow to re-attach.

The same condition can happen on the ailerons when operating behind a contaminated leading edge. This aileron snatch is theorized to be the dynamic that caused the loss of roll control in the Roselawn accident with the ATR.

The aileron snatch phenomenon is more likely as the main wing approaches the stalling AOA (which is much less than normal due to the icing contamination of the leading edge.)
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