Hurricane Minor Crash at Duxford
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Hurricane Minor Crash at Duxford
Just seen the news on Teletext - apparently the Hurricane suffered some kind of undercarriage failure on landing. Only visited the BBMF just the other week and so was just wondering if anybody knew the extent of the damage. Good thing is that the pilot was unhurt.
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BBC Quote:
Hurricane loses wheel on airfield
The pilot who was flying the Hurricane was unhurt
A Hurricane lost a wheel when its undercarriage collapsed shortly after landing at an air show.
One of the plane's wheels buckled as it was taxiing at the Duxford airfield in Cambridgeshire.
The plane, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, was getting ready for the D-Day anniversary air show organised by the Imperial War Museum.
A spokeswoman for the museum said the pilot climbed out of the plane unhurt.
"The plane had landed and was taxiing along the airfield when one of its wheels seems to have buckled," she said.
"The plane is being examined now to see what kind of damage has been done."
NO photos yet but lets hope that slow(ish) speed means that damage is minimal and she can get airborne asap.
The pilot who was flying the Hurricane was unhurt
A Hurricane lost a wheel when its undercarriage collapsed shortly after landing at an air show.
One of the plane's wheels buckled as it was taxiing at the Duxford airfield in Cambridgeshire.
The plane, based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, was getting ready for the D-Day anniversary air show organised by the Imperial War Museum.
A spokeswoman for the museum said the pilot climbed out of the plane unhurt.
"The plane had landed and was taxiing along the airfield when one of its wheels seems to have buckled," she said.
"The plane is being examined now to see what kind of damage has been done."
NO photos yet but lets hope that slow(ish) speed means that damage is minimal and she can get airborne asap.
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Ich bin ein Prooner.
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As already said on here, let's hope the damage is minimal, and the Hurricane is soon back in the air.
But, the media reaction again! On Teletext first thing this morning - " BoB fighter crashes at airshow".
Let's whip the hysteria up! Words fail me.
But, the media reaction again! On Teletext first thing this morning - " BoB fighter crashes at airshow".
Let's whip the hysteria up! Words fail me.
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Oh the histeria indeed gentlemen!!
I was at Duxford, and it was all very calm and sedate and full marks to all the crash crews who were in attendance.
I understand from a friend with his 'airband' that the pilot knew he had a problem, and couldn't get two greens. The landing was gentle and no big hassle.
During the very gentle taxi back towards the flight line the stbd undercarriage leg started to fold up, at which point it looked like the engine was cut, hence the very minor damage.
I saw in the Cambs press last night that the ''hero pilot' steered his aircraft away from thousands of spectators' and all the usual nonesence the press dream up.
Mind, I suppose you have to ask the question...'wouldn't it have been prudent to shut the aircraft down immediately after landing, and chucked some u/c locks in???
Kind regards to all
The Swinging Monkey
I was at Duxford, and it was all very calm and sedate and full marks to all the crash crews who were in attendance.
I understand from a friend with his 'airband' that the pilot knew he had a problem, and couldn't get two greens. The landing was gentle and no big hassle.
During the very gentle taxi back towards the flight line the stbd undercarriage leg started to fold up, at which point it looked like the engine was cut, hence the very minor damage.
I saw in the Cambs press last night that the ''hero pilot' steered his aircraft away from thousands of spectators' and all the usual nonesence the press dream up.
Mind, I suppose you have to ask the question...'wouldn't it have been prudent to shut the aircraft down immediately after landing, and chucked some u/c locks in???
Kind regards to all
The Swinging Monkey
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I too was at the airshow and I have to that I agree with The Swinging Monkey… Why oh why didn’t he shut it down after landing and put in the U/C locks rather than taxi it back on grass?… It’s never the smoothest surface to be taxing over!
Still, looks like the damage is minimal and hopefully it wont be too long before she’s back in the skies again.
Still, looks like the damage is minimal and hopefully it wont be too long before she’s back in the skies again.
Swinging Monkey, I would be circumspect about what your friend actually heard on his airband, and I would ask everyone to wait for the accident report before jumping to any conclusions here.
There are absolutely no problems with taxying a Hurricane on the grass at Duxford - the undercarriage was designed for much rougher surfaces. Please do not make knee-jerk suggestions such as shutting down and putting ground locks in (which are totally impractical) based on an incident for which the cause is currently unknown. If an aircraft is not suitable to take-off, land or taxy on the grass, the paved surfaces are used.
Shame it happened, but no-one was hurt.
There are absolutely no problems with taxying a Hurricane on the grass at Duxford - the undercarriage was designed for much rougher surfaces. Please do not make knee-jerk suggestions such as shutting down and putting ground locks in (which are totally impractical) based on an incident for which the cause is currently unknown. If an aircraft is not suitable to take-off, land or taxy on the grass, the paved surfaces are used.
Shame it happened, but no-one was hurt.
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LOMCEVAC,
I'm curious to know why you say it would be "totally impractical" to put U/C locks into an aircraft which landed with only one green (Unless you know otherwise then we'll assume for the sake of your comments that it landed with one green). It seems like a perfectly sensible idea to me. And if U/C locks weren't available, then shut it down, leave it where it is and put an airbag under the wing for support until you can lock the undercarriage. I'm not knocking the skill of the pilot but it seems perfectly sensible to me. We don't know the reason for the accident yet, but it would seem that you've dismissed a perfectly sensible suggestion based on it being "Totally impractical"... What's more impractical... placing U/C locks, or bending a beautiful aircraft?
The issue here wasn't about taxing the aircraft on grass... of course that's what it was designed for... The issue is did he taxi an aircraft known to have a dodgy undercarriage, and if so, was that the best thing to do?
Cheers
I'm curious to know why you say it would be "totally impractical" to put U/C locks into an aircraft which landed with only one green (Unless you know otherwise then we'll assume for the sake of your comments that it landed with one green). It seems like a perfectly sensible idea to me. And if U/C locks weren't available, then shut it down, leave it where it is and put an airbag under the wing for support until you can lock the undercarriage. I'm not knocking the skill of the pilot but it seems perfectly sensible to me. We don't know the reason for the accident yet, but it would seem that you've dismissed a perfectly sensible suggestion based on it being "Totally impractical"... What's more impractical... placing U/C locks, or bending a beautiful aircraft?
The issue here wasn't about taxing the aircraft on grass... of course that's what it was designed for... The issue is did he taxi an aircraft known to have a dodgy undercarriage, and if so, was that the best thing to do?
Cheers
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LOMCEVAC
"Please do not make knee-jerk suggestions such as shutting down and putting ground locks in (which are totally impractical). . . "
Please tell us why, in your opinion, timely use of the u/c ground locks is a knee-jerk suggestion and a totally impractical procedure when it is suspected that the landing gear is not fully locked down? Seems not only eminently suitable on this occasion but also the correct thing to do.
". . . based on an incident for which the cause is currently unknown."
If "not known", all the more reason that all possible measures were taken as soon as possible to ensure the safety and integrity of the aircraft (ie, immediately after the landing). Please explain, in your opinion, why such action was not the case.
And finally you wrote . . .
"If an aircraft is not suitable to take-off, land or taxy on the grass, the paved surfaces are used."
I don't think there is any call to be so patronising. The denizens of this forum are, I'm sure, all well aware of this.
"Please do not make knee-jerk suggestions such as shutting down and putting ground locks in (which are totally impractical). . . "
Please tell us why, in your opinion, timely use of the u/c ground locks is a knee-jerk suggestion and a totally impractical procedure when it is suspected that the landing gear is not fully locked down? Seems not only eminently suitable on this occasion but also the correct thing to do.
". . . based on an incident for which the cause is currently unknown."
If "not known", all the more reason that all possible measures were taken as soon as possible to ensure the safety and integrity of the aircraft (ie, immediately after the landing). Please explain, in your opinion, why such action was not the case.
And finally you wrote . . .
"If an aircraft is not suitable to take-off, land or taxy on the grass, the paved surfaces are used."
I don't think there is any call to be so patronising. The denizens of this forum are, I'm sure, all well aware of this.
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There are absolutely no problems with taxying a Hurricane on the grass at Duxford - the undercarriage was designed for much rougher surfaces.
Would have thought this one would be covered by "If there's any doubt, then there's no doubt".
I know this will encourage some fairly 'spirited' replies, but with swingeing cuts coming our way - what future has the BBMF?
Now before you all lambast me, I am a firm supporter of the Flight. It represents a great many individuals who gave their lives in the air during WWII. How much does it cost to run the unit per year? Whilst at the "College of Knowledge" we visited it and East Kirkby many times to see the Lancs engine runs etc. and were very impressed.
Could a consortium of interested parties not buy the aircraft on the understanding that they operate them for the usual events that we use them for? Surely as long as the airframes are kept to sensible hours limits and are well husbanded there is no reason why they shouldn't fly for many more years to come.
As an aside, at least the ac is only lightly damaged, and the pilot walked away from it. Let's hope that it is soon back in the air.
Now before you all lambast me, I am a firm supporter of the Flight. It represents a great many individuals who gave their lives in the air during WWII. How much does it cost to run the unit per year? Whilst at the "College of Knowledge" we visited it and East Kirkby many times to see the Lancs engine runs etc. and were very impressed.
Could a consortium of interested parties not buy the aircraft on the understanding that they operate them for the usual events that we use them for? Surely as long as the airframes are kept to sensible hours limits and are well husbanded there is no reason why they shouldn't fly for many more years to come.
As an aside, at least the ac is only lightly damaged, and the pilot walked away from it. Let's hope that it is soon back in the air.
Rectifying '363
If time or manpower is a problem when it comes to repairs, I'll happily give up my weekends and put 16 years of riggering to good use and get that aircraft back where it belongs.
And you beancounters can go whistle if there's any bleating about costs.....
And you beancounters can go whistle if there's any bleating about costs.....
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Mind, I suppose you have to ask the question...'wouldn't it have been prudent to shut the aircraft down immediately after landing, and chucked some u/c locks in???
In Lomco's defence, I can see no reason why this would have prevented the unfortunate ding. I was there & saw it all and it was a complete non-event. It landed on 24, turned right, Stbd u/c leg started to fol, wingtip dug in and then the aircraft ended up on its nose. Not much chance to put the locks in!!
As usual, a minor non-event which has been speculated to death already by both media and those who should know better.
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Zlin... I was there, and still don’t think it's unreasonable to think that the aircraft could be been brought to a safe stop and locks put in place before turning right on a failed Sbd. U/C that folds in. It's not rocket science...
As for being a non event... I disagree with that statement! Thankfully it's not a 'major' incident, but never the less, we now have one bent hurricane... It's class that as an event (and not a good one!)!!
As for being a non event... I disagree with that statement! Thankfully it's not a 'major' incident, but never the less, we now have one bent hurricane... It's class that as an event (and not a good one!)!!
HM,
if the cuts are as bad as predicted, the BBMF will be renamed 'Strike Command' and given responsibility for Air Defence, Tac Recce, Long range strike ops and transport... After all, it has the requisite legacy capabilities for these roles.
If the Chippy is still with the flight, it can be painted red and serve as the aerobatic team, with cunning use of smoke and mirrors (advice on this technique from G Brown, 11 Downing St.).
if the cuts are as bad as predicted, the BBMF will be renamed 'Strike Command' and given responsibility for Air Defence, Tac Recce, Long range strike ops and transport... After all, it has the requisite legacy capabilities for these roles.
If the Chippy is still with the flight, it can be painted red and serve as the aerobatic team, with cunning use of smoke and mirrors (advice on this technique from G Brown, 11 Downing St.).
HM
The BBMF is not about the future, it is about remembering those who went before us. Someone far more wise than I once said, "Those who forget the past are condemned to re-enact it" or words to that effect.
The BBMF and all other historical flights are clear and vivid reminders that the freedoms we have were earned by the sacrifices of others. I truly believe that while they still fly their stories will still be told. Once they are gone all we will be left with are books and Hollywood. How many kids read history these days?
We should never forget.
ps. does a Hurri have ground locks? I'll ask my Dad, he WILL know (46 Sqn Battle of Britain)
The BBMF is not about the future, it is about remembering those who went before us. Someone far more wise than I once said, "Those who forget the past are condemned to re-enact it" or words to that effect.
The BBMF and all other historical flights are clear and vivid reminders that the freedoms we have were earned by the sacrifices of others. I truly believe that while they still fly their stories will still be told. Once they are gone all we will be left with are books and Hollywood. How many kids read history these days?
We should never forget.
ps. does a Hurri have ground locks? I'll ask my Dad, he WILL know (46 Sqn Battle of Britain)