XV574 - Yeovilton landing incident question...
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XV574 - Yeovilton landing incident question...
I'm looking for a little more information on the apparent landing 'incident' XV574 had at Yeovilton, please. I understand on landing it hit the lip of the runway causing structural damage which eventually led to its withdrawal and eventual scrapping? It was flown into Wattisham for scrapping, so I assume it was allowed to fly, but with restrictions imposed? Any help is greatly appreciated...
-RP
-RP
As I remember it, (and I may be wrong!) it was a static aircraft arriving for Air Day and did a great touchdown some way short of the threshold of runway 27, losing at least one wheel on the runway lip before shedding various bits over the runway. Pilot and Nav missed the party because they were sent home immediately by road!
Good job is wasn't at sea, could have really messed up the Admiral's Cabin!
Good job is wasn't at sea, could have really messed up the Admiral's Cabin!
Hitting the 'lip' of the runway shouldn't have caused the damage as stated as runway edges and ends have to be de-lethalised by continuing the hard surface under the grass for some distance.
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The incident occurred on 27 July 1989. XV574 was positioning from Culdrose, where it had appeared at the Air Show. It was to join with the crew of XV572, who had landed at Yeovilton earlier that morning, conduct some Lynx affil, and then both aircraft remain in-situ for Yeovolton's Air Show.
At that time, the piano keys on the western runway were right at the end, ie, there was no inset of any description. I don't know if that has changed since. Furthermore, there was a pronounced lip at the end of the runway. I cannot recall if XV574 initially made contact with the grass marginally short of the runway or the lip, but both main gear tyres impacted the lip with such force (SOP for an F4 landing) that both tyres exploded with an explosive effect to cause damage to the undercarriage, undercarriage doors, underwing panels and flaps. There was damage to the lip too, with debris scattered over the immediate area. The arrester hook was lowered and the approach end cable engaged. It was hangared out of site; XV572 still appeared in the static display. The crew of XV574 were flown back to Leuchars the next day in one of the Admiral's barges.
I cannot recall what happened to XV574 after this incident, certainly it never appeared in my log book again. However, if you can get access to the Squadron F540, that will answer your questions.
At that time, the piano keys on the western runway were right at the end, ie, there was no inset of any description. I don't know if that has changed since. Furthermore, there was a pronounced lip at the end of the runway. I cannot recall if XV574 initially made contact with the grass marginally short of the runway or the lip, but both main gear tyres impacted the lip with such force (SOP for an F4 landing) that both tyres exploded with an explosive effect to cause damage to the undercarriage, undercarriage doors, underwing panels and flaps. There was damage to the lip too, with debris scattered over the immediate area. The arrester hook was lowered and the approach end cable engaged. It was hangared out of site; XV572 still appeared in the static display. The crew of XV574 were flown back to Leuchars the next day in one of the Admiral's barges.
I cannot recall what happened to XV574 after this incident, certainly it never appeared in my log book again. However, if you can get access to the Squadron F540, that will answer your questions.
Apparently it was scrapped in 1991, so may well have never flown again.
Aircraft Data XV574, 1969 McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG1 C/N 3087/9328
Aircraft Data XV574, 1969 McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG1 C/N 3087/9328
I have a faded (and probably faulty) memory of a similar incident, maybe 10 years later on the delivery of a jet from Warton.
...probably under the aegis of MOD(PE), so very hugger-mugger.
expensive lip
...probably under the aegis of MOD(PE), so very hugger-mugger.
expensive lip
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Take That, thankyou for the information, it is greatly appreciated! As regards to whether 574 flew again, it was scrapped at Wattisham in September 1991, so it may have remained at Yeovilton and been roaded to Wattisham, or patched up and flown back to Leuchars where it was decided not economic to repair and then roaded to Wattisham from there? Although, pictures of it on the dump at Wattisham show it with the outer wing panels still attached, so maybe it did fly in? Either way, thanks again for clearing up the landing incident, I was pretty convinced I hadn't imagined it! 
-RP
-RP
I was in the tower that day this incident happened. The pilot was asked if he was familiar with VL and he said yes. Unfortunately my view of the landing on 27 was obscured by a large marquee being erected for Air Day, but I do remember seeing clods of earth flying up and a very wobbly Phantom appearing from behind the marquee with smoke and fire from its landing gear. Rumours were that the crew had enjoyed the post Culdrose Air Day party and were a bit 'light -headed' still. I understand that the pilot asked to be taken to the Wardroom for a quick drink, probably so he wouldn't fail any alcohol testing! Prior to coming to VL the aircraft made an approach to Portland (750 foot runway) and the resulting overshoot was so hairy the Duty ATCO pressed the crash alarm!
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The aircraft was repaired at Yeovilton and flew out on 13/9/89. It was noted in the display hangar 10 days later at Leuchars Air Display still marked as 'Z' with 111 Sqn. It flew to Wattisham for storage 23/1/90 and was scrapped there in September 1991. Hope that fills the gaps.
XV574 was the Phantom display jet from 1983, when it was flown by S/L Simon Lloyd-Morrison - a great F4 display pilot too I might add... 
Funnily enough I was at the CU post Air Day Wardroom bash in 1989, although I don't recall seeing any 'smashed' Phantom aircrew... then again I don't remember much from that party, so it must have been a good one.
Funnily enough I was at the CU post Air Day Wardroom bash in 1989, although I don't recall seeing any 'smashed' Phantom aircrew... then again I don't remember much from that party, so it must have been a good one.
Didn't do the pilots career any harm. Bumped into him a couple of times in the frozen wastes of northern Norway a couple of years later during his F16 exchange with the Noggies.
