Indiana Jones injured after hard landing on Cali golf course

[LowNSlow]

I seem to recall an air test of the Ryan in one of the flying periodicals comparing the glide performance of the draggy machine to an aluminium piano. If this is the case then even more kudos to Mr Ford for getting her down in one piece.

The accident is on the Ryan ST entry on Wiki already.

[JEM60]

Ryan PT22 is flown solo from the BACK SEAT, a la Tiger Moth. Hence the possible confusion in the reporting.

[rocco16]

It is a heavy machine due to the strengthening the U.S. Army required on the STA it was based on requiring a more powerful engine, the Kinner. They wanted a high wing loading aeroplane as an better introduction to characteristics of other aircraft they would fly. Hence it has a relatively high stall and approach speeds of 65/ 85. (Not using flaps as they don't do much and have a weak mechanism and can go asymmetric). As you can imagine this does not give the best glide or EFATO prospects. As you can see it is strong and was designed to protect the occupants. Just look at the frame ahead of the front seat passenger if you get the chance. I own and fly 854.

[CharlieDeltaUK]

BBC report this morning referred to an emergency landing, and minor cuts and bruises. No mention of crashes or puppy farms. No sensational reporting.

[astir 8]

Indeed, I actually have not seen the words "plummet", "daredevil" or "hero" used yet.

Mind you - didn't he force land a rubber dinghy one time? I', sure I saw it.

[horizon flyer]

Actually two doctors on the course responded not 15.

[thing]

Bet there were 15 on it though. At least.

[waldopepper42]

I just wonder how he knew the engine was failing. Those 5 cylinder Kinner radials sound like they're permanently in a state of failure!

Good job on the FL though.

[MatrixMan]

Harrison Ford injured in plane crash

Sad to hear reports that Harrison Ford has been injured after crashing his vintage aircraft. Hope he has a speedy recovery and glad no one else was injured as well.


BBC News - Harrison Ford injured in plane crash

[KBPsen]

Here he is being taken away after the accident.

[Downwind Lander]

This report has him making a 180 deg turn with "the engine seizing up on him", a manoeuvre likely to end in tears:

Harrison Ford Plane Crash: Aviation Expert on Actor's Emergency Landing Plan : People.com

It will be interesting to find out what really happened.

[highflyer40]

If all he had was houses and buildings to the front and a golf course/airport to the rear then I say he did the best thing and go for the 180.

[The Ancient Geek]

Nothing wrong with a 180 so long as you have the speed and height to do it safely. Sadly a lot of people have died trying it with too little of either.

[rog747]

from an actual video of him taken from the golf course on approach he still had some altitude and seemed to be heading back to santa monica airport as he had requested to do so on a RT for an immediate return which ATC gave him clearance

its seems he could not make it back to the runway and the golf course was his option from what we can see with the 180 turn needed

heavy residential and streets is to one side of the runway threshold and golf course to the other

[deptrai]

this is already being discussed here: http://www.pprune.org/north-america/...d-crashed.html

[TOWTEAMBASE]

Harrison Ford injured in plane crash

No much luck lately with flying has he.........didn't the millennium falcon fall on him recently and break his ankle

[Noxegon]

[Above The Clouds]

Every landing you walk away from is a good one, well done on a successful forced landing.

With tongue in cheek; I am so glad according to the media he heroically steered away from the houses, narrowly missed the primary school, and bravely manouvered away from the kids on the side walk to a miraculous crash landing, cheated death while flying solo.

[barit1]

Agreed on the risk of a 180 after EFATO. The PT-22 has a small bit of wing sweepback, and just a touch of cross-control when too slow results in an involuntary snap (flick) roll.

So good job, sir!

[India Four Two]

An important point to note about the crash location is that although it is close to the threshold - about 1000' back and 400' right of the centreline, it is nearly 100' lower than the runway.