PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Grand Van down at Eros
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Old 16th Nov 2009, 17:56
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JTrain
 
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''According to witnesses the caravan rolled very far down the runway from north to south, part of the distance with the nosewheel already in the air, before lifting off and slowly gaining height, but then banked to the right and suddenly plummeted down. According to the ministry's spokesman the pilot had transmitted that he was having difficulties gaining altitude, before crashing.''

Having close to 2k hours in the Van, I remember all too well those days loaded near MTOW, and after a long t/o roll the aircraft barely climbing. Its a horrible feeling, the way the plane would just hang there after rotation, keeping your fingers crossed, hoping she'll climb... My deepest sympathies to all involved.
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