C-172 forced landing at Glenrothes
 

All seem to be OK. EFATO?

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news...-fife-airport/

Well, it certainly did not stall else it would not look like that!

But it did 'plummet'!

I'd agree with the OP, EFATO - would explain the "plummet". Unfortunately, ordinary Joe Bloggs tend to think a stall means engine failure as opposed to aerodynamic stall. Perhaps that explains the interesting account?

I was there an hour after the event. The guys did well. Smallish field, some knee high crop, aeroplane left quite a swathe through it. Looks like a dismantle job to get it out if the field.

"Smallish field"??? That field is probably larger than the entire airport the aircraft took off from. The crops would help slow it down too - like landing into a very forgiving net.

Wait for Harvest Sunday, rip out the interior and unload as much petrol as you dare and I bet you could easily fly that out of that field. (judging by the photos at least)

It was a small field. I flew right over it, and had a spectacular view of said aeroplane stuck in it. Are you a pilot? Are you aware what knee high crop can do to an aeroplane? Word on the street was that Mr Farmer was already calling the insurers regarding his damaged fields and crops from spilt fuel.

No, the guys did very well under the circumstances......oh and Sue, the photos did not show the trees at one end either.

I was just returning to add that regardless, it was good airmanship and a successful outcome but I see I'm one post late. :(

Having said that the photos show what would appear to be a reasonably sized field, but as I said earlier that's the photos not the reality.

Glad it wasn't me.

Wouldn't it be quicker and cheaper to find a nearby Squirrel with a hook, a few strops and lift it out?
I think the 350-B3 can carry more than a ton underslung - isn't that the MAUW of a Skyhawk?

The slope in the field can make retrieval easier or harder. Downslope to field entrance is best. May be necessary to mow a path.
I would be reluctant to tow from nosewheel as there's a chance the firewall may get bent [more]:uhoh:

Next problem is getting the wings through the fence gap, usually easier with high wing.

Is the road back to the field wide enough to allow a taxi?

If not, pull up onto a flatbed and turn sideways.

HM Plod will want a say on road transport arrangements.

The insurance companies look after this all the time.

The farmer's insurance company will talk to the aircraft insurance company about crop damage.

Be extremely careful taking off from a field. Paying the farmer to mow a takeoff lane and take down a fence is far cheaper than unbending an airplane after hitting said fence as one Alberta pilot found out the hard way.

It looks like a he did a cracking job of landing it.
I only hope I'm somewhere near that good if, or when it happens to me. :ok::D

Thankfully it was 24 and not 06!

As far as flying it out goes, assuming you can sort the engine, pace out the field and apply all the neccessary factors, if the numbers fit, then yes you can look at mowing a strip and taking down a fence, if they dont (including if they "just" fit) then you forget it!

Sounds like an ideal use case for a JATO Junior...

Except the engine will have been shock loaded if running at the time of the forced landing, and having just arrived with a possible engine problem, then that would need sorting first.

Aircraft was recovered to hangar at the airport with the help of the farmer. Aircraft has been checked by engineers no obvious problems found. A couple of circuits done and aircraft flown to Prestwick. Would suggest no engine issues!

What was the cause of the EFATO, that brought about the forced landing. Finger trouble?

It was a aerial photography flight with Scottish Government people on aircraft - think called "aerial work" , hire pilot, hire plane so you do not need AOC and do not need to do weight and balance. 4 people, full tanks, very overweight - didn't want to fly at the end of the runway - fortunately field at the other side. There is a good video of the whole event. Presume all brushed under carpet not sure CAA fully aware of all the circumstances!

This is a new one. It not only plummeted, but it flipped as well! That is a new manoeuvre I've not heard of that one before. But this can not an accurate media report. There was no hospital, school, old people's home or synagogue narrowly avoided.

PM