PPRuNe Forums

PPRuNe Forums (https://www.pprune.org/)
-   Canada (https://www.pprune.org/canada-42/)
-   -   Buffalo Air DC-3 forced landing YZF (https://www.pprune.org/canada/521812-buffalo-air-dc-3-forced-landing-yzf.html)

Mudman 20th Aug 2013 11:23

Buffalo Air DC-3 forced landing YZF
 
From CBC News

A Buffalo Airways DC-3 made a hard landing Monday at the Yellowknife airport.
The plane was taking off from Yellowknife bound for Hay River, N.W.T., when passengers reported the plane's right engine caught fire shortly after it was in the air, said CBC reporter Richard Gleeson.
Buffalo Air is featured in the TV show Ice Pilots.

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/to...elly-crash.jpg

saab340pilot87 20th Aug 2013 14:27

Buffalo-Joe can't be that happy...:{

Hotel Tango 20th Aug 2013 14:57

From the NBC photo it looks like it could be C-GWIR. This reminded me of when I flew on this same a/c from YZF to YHY in June 2007. I watched it depart YHY and noted that it was trailing smoke (not fire) on one engine, followed by a fairly rapid return - and bursting a tyre on landing. Got fixed the next day and off it went again, no doubt flying countless more happy hours until this. I wonder if they will glue the old girl together again or if this is now the end of the line for her. Wonder how many hours she's clocked up?

Coagie 20th Aug 2013 17:24

Haven't seen the show, but just wondering. Have these DC-3's been retro-fitted with turbo-props engines, or do they still have piston engines?

Dak Man 20th Aug 2013 17:27

They have been left as God intended them, radial piston engines.

Coagie 20th Aug 2013 17:36

Great to see the old birds still flying. A testament to visionary design, luck, and the continuing need to land on rugged or slick runways.

renfrew 20th Aug 2013 17:41

Coagie,
Try and see an episode,it is quite fantastic how they manage to keep operating these aircraft.
The economics must be questionable I am sure that at some point the authorities will call a halt.
The last show I saw had a DC-3,DC-4 and C-46 flying together.

suntorytimo 20th Aug 2013 18:33

This is a real shame, the old girl really doesn't look good in that photo.

ohnutsiforgot 20th Aug 2013 19:51

Staged
 
You know it is entirely possible the whole Ice Pilots show is scripted and staged with the cheapest possible prop (not propeller) aircraft and phony 'emergencies'. Really, it s a soap opera for guys.

Can't happen? Look carefully at Repo Men. Certainly staged. Chris Angel Mindfreak, phony from the word go. Presidential press conferences... well, I digress...

DownIn3Green 20th Aug 2013 22:11

ONIF...I agree staged to an extent, however, no one would "crash" an A/C for ratings...at least I hope not...

Lots of the "crisis" experienced by the crews are not, as in a "low oil pressure" warning on the C-46 but they continue on...

However as a veteran of 3 B-727 repos from 3 foreign countries (2 as F/O and one as Capt) Airplane Repo is a sham...

As far as Coagie goes...his/hers comments go (especially on the UPS thread) that person needs to read up on his F/S manuals and stick to that before wasting time on the professional forums...

Hotel Tango 20th Aug 2013 22:34


You know it is entirely possible the whole Ice Pilots show is scripted and staged with the cheapest possible prop (not propeller) aircraft and phony 'emergencies'. Really, it s a soap opera for guys.
Having been around Buffalo ops for several days during my visit in 2007 I'd disagree. Sure, the show's narration might spice up some of the competitiveness among elements of the staff and over dramatise some of the typical day-to-day operational problems, but other than that I'd say the rest is pretty much as it is. Running a fleet of old piston airliners in that environment is a constant challenge.

Coagie 20th Aug 2013 22:58

renfrew, I'll check it out. A lot more cost involved maintaining those old radials vs turboprops. Don't think the authorities will bother them, since it'd be hard to find new planes, that are inexpensive enough for them, that could do the job on tough terrain. C47/DC3's are still used to land in the remote jungles of South America.

yoos2 20th Aug 2013 23:10

Buffalo Air DC-3 forced landing YZF
 
I haven't flown in that area since the middle fifties (yes, 1950's) when the DEW Line was under construction. Much farther north, yes, but we had no regulatory body governing our operations. The Ansons used a bladder brake system that reacted negatively to cold. When bladders ruptured we lost that brake. Landings were almost always crosswind and the winds were fierce. We chose the landing heading based on which brake would help us stay on the scraped permafrost as the old girls weather-vaned easily. Gyroscopic precession was about eight degrees in fifteen minute and magnetic compasses were of no use at all as we flew laterally along the coast. We had some ADFs and some MDFs (range frequencies of course). If they didn't function we used USAF radar to find us and steer us as required. Sometimes with wing ice we were too low for them to see us in the ground clutter.
Bottom line, I don't think Buffalo Air has any need for dramatics.

Y2

flynverted 20th Aug 2013 23:30


Coagie,
Try and see an episode
Watch it online here Watch Ice Pilots Episodes Online, Reviews, Fan Comments, News | Overview Page | Btvguide :ok:

LeadSled 20th Aug 2013 23:48

Folks,
Given the amazing stock of spares Joe has, the old girl will be back in the air in no time.
As a matter of interest, given the $$/HP/Hour comparisons, re-engining with turbo-props never made economic sense, just as little turbo-props have never been able to rival piston engines up to 350-400 hp. If it did make economic sense, there would be lots of them out in the big wide world.
The automatically (by many people) assumed greater reliability of turbines is a bit of a myth in the smaller sizes, as a thorough examination will show. A properly overhauled R-1830-92 is good for about 1500-2000 hours, depending on the operating environment, and the relative fuel costs also stack up quite well.
As has been the case for so many years, the only DC-3 replacement is another DC-3 (or C-47).
Tootle pip!!

Coagie 21st Aug 2013 23:17


As a matter of interest, given the $$/HP/Hour comparisons, re-engining with turbo-props never made economic sense, just as little turbo-props have never been able to rival piston engines up to 350-400 hp. If it did make economic sense, there would be lots of them out in the big wide world.
I plead guilty. Thanks for setting me straight.

er340790 24th Aug 2013 13:02

Emergencies are scripted???????????????? :eek:

Take another look at the C-215 landing gear-up in Turkey or the Electra crash-landing at Yellowknife with the right gear stuck and say that again. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

bigoil 26th Aug 2013 13:51

A while back on his Buffalo Air site he was advertising to buy a SAA converted DC3 and he would do the import. So I'd say he is looking to upgrade the 3s to turbines but doesnt want to pay the Basler pricetag.

MLHeliwrench 3rd Sep 2013 02:13

Av Gas
 
A bigger issue up here is the availability of Av Gas. It is not at every strip and when it is, it is in drums and not cheap.

connies4ever 4th Sep 2013 22:55

Buffalo DC-3 Crash YZF
 
Renfrew-
Yes, the DOC for the Daks, C-46, and DC-4 are high, but Buffalo's bread and butter is bringing food and other supplies to remote communities. This is essentially paid for by the Federal government, so Buffalo Joe can fairly well recover costs.
As HellWrench has said, availability of Avgas is becoming more and more of a problem - esp since it is drummed and has to be hand pumped. If the gas has overwintered, it will likely have a fair bit of water in it. Not a promising thought.
So I think sunset for these wonderful old aircraft is approaching. Joe is a pretty resourceful guy, and it wouldn't surprise me a bit if he was able to get an STC to convert a couple of Dash 8-100s into a sort of combi, with a reasonable freight door behind the wing. There are -100s to be had (Jazz is starting to retire them, for example). For lift in the C-46/DC-4 size, possible a couple of Electras -- they already have 2.


All times are GMT. The time now is 14:04.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.