Landing in a plowed field Risky? Safe?
 

I have landed gliders in plowed fields before (its bumpy), but they are pretty light, and only have one wheel.

Ive been wondering in an emergency, how would a small aircraft like a cassna 172 or even a 210 fair landing in a plowed field? Either landing with the direction of the plow lines, Or perpendicular to them (depending on wind direction)?

Obviously you would need to use the soft field techniques. But i would worry the rear wheels would dig in, and slam the nose down, then the nose would get bogged down and well... things go real bad from there...

perpendicular to plow lines going to be WAY more bumpy obviously, but if thats the direction of a strong head wind, maybe thats still the best choice?

Reason im asking is because im planning a long rual trip, and trying to work out my options if something does go wrong. So anyone have experience with this? High or Low chance of wheels getting stuck and flipping the plane?

Also been wondering if it would increase stopping distance, or reduce it. Would it be safe to brake hard on this kind of surface?

Something like this
http://images.fineartamerica.com/ima...rd-jaubert.jpg

Not sure. What do you think?
Stock Photography: Search Royalty Free Images & Photos - iStock

Gliders are designed to land on this kind of surface; most powered 'planes aren't.

I suspect the outcome might be different for high wing vs low wing types; IMO a 172 would be more likely to end up on its back than a PA28.

Either way, I think you'd stop pretty quickly without needing the brakes!

Looks to me like the kind of surface where you'd definitely be better off pulling the 'chute in a Cirrus.

If you're thinking of landing on it first imagine driving directly onto it from a smooth surface in a small car at 60mph.

I think you have your answer.

Keep looking for fields that have been seeded and rolled. They are usually flatter - not a 'tater field of course!
Still soft at this time of year so you wont need brakes, but may stay upright.

Other than that look for the areas to the edges of some fields that have been left as grass - some are quite wide, and of course not all fields are ploughed, depends on where you are flying to.

Have a good trip.

This is quite a useful website regarding fields :- Field Crops - Home Page

From experience (aka "I learned the hard way"), there's a big difference between a ploughed field and a ploughed and tilled field. It's possible to tell the difference from the air - but you need to look hard!

Paul

Having previously gained "landing out" experience during about ten years of landing RAF wheeled helicopters in all sorts of fields, I later become a QFI on SEP fixed wing aircraft. I wouldn't let my fixed wing students even carry out PFLs to ploughed fields, in case the engine failed to respond.

We were flying low wing aircraft (Bulldog) with a canopy that slid back to open, or could be jettisoned. If an aircraft like that goes over onto its back, you won't get out without outside assistance and you will possibly be left hanging upside down in a puddle of AVGAS.

One of my QFIs was an ex-Beverley Captain. He told us that they would (very) occasionally practice tactical landings on ploughed fields, with the brakes on!

They had to change the wheels afterwards!

I would say from my experience that it's highly likely to damage the aeroplane, and highly unlikely to kill the occupants.

On that basis - if I have to, yes. If I have a choice of something harder and smoother - no.

As SkyTorque points out, also allow for the risk of being turned over.

G

The field illustrated is either fine earth or it has been tilled. For a glider, this will make a difference between getting away with it and damage. A deep ploughed field of clay soil will most likely wreck a glider. The higher wheel loadings, landing speeds and wider undercarriage would almost certainly result in a great deal of damage to both of the aircraft you mentioned with the 210 coming out worst. That you have got away with it once means you have been lucky. Don't expect it a second time, even in a glider.

PM

I am puzzled by this question

Any forced landing requires certain priorities

The first and most important is to always keep the aircraft flying. Many fixate on one landing area and stall stretching the glide and that is the killer

The second most important is not to hit something hard at high speed like a building, tree, rock face etc in the landing or rollout. its acceptable to even hit a fence or soft hedge at the end

The third is the surface you land on. I have only had one forced landing which was 30 years ago and that was into a wheat field.

The most important thing is that you walk away from the aircraft intact and unharmed whether the aircraft gear is in such a state will depend on whats on your chosen landing site.

Even a bowling green type surface may contain a ditch or large Rabbit hole enough to remove the nose wheel so nothing is guaranteed regarding the surface and priority is to make sure you walk away uninjured

Ideally you will have a long bowling green field with no obstructions right into wind but lifes not like that and you need to be adaptable decisive and not fixated

How many forced landings have come to grief because the pilot fixated on one into wind field and stalled trying to stretch the glide to get there when there was an acceptable landing site left or right with a crosswind ? Remember too on landing you still have directional control don't just sit there in a straight line if you need to go right or left to avoid something or even spin the aircraft

The surface is a lesser priority as is the wind direction as fixating onto landing into wind while ideal might mean you miss other better options if your chosen site is not working out

In flying always have an out. Never one option and be prepared to jump from plan A to B if need be.Have plan B or even C clear in your head. That will determine whether you survive or don't not the nose wheel thats not part of your decision making

Finally don't take full flap till you are assured of landing

Pace

Agreed recently seeded and rolled generally works well in a glider.

Soil friability can be a huge variable when considering a plowed field. Heavy clays and thick sod when plowed and not disced are best avoided. But to know that you have to keep an eye on local agricultural practice.

One runway I used in a C-172 was loose sand. I even managed a takeoff with four aboard (remember to lower the nose a bit around 30 kt).

It is ploughed not plowed.............. Mods please change thread title. Thank you....

OP is in Oz. It's a gray area. (sic).

Farmer will probably have his measuring stick and calculator out for a ploughed or rolled field compared to a grass field, oh and his shot gun!

How to break your neck?
 

REMEMBER, IF HANGING UPSIDE DOWN IN THE AIRCRAFT, you can be badly injured if undoing the straps without great caution and care.

Meanwhile, driving your car round the countryside, stop now and then and have a look at field surfaces. Usually one used for grazing sheep or cattle will be OK. Ploughed surface almost certain to tip you ass over teakettle. One that has been harrowed ready for seeding should be better. Crop is OK, usually, if it is very tall, plan to land on the top of the crop....eventually everything will turn green as you sink in!

I could easily land in that particular field and take off again in my escapade, and I would say you could do a lot worse!! thats a survivable field thats for sure, who cares about the plane!! thats what insurance is for.

I once made the mistake of "dropping in" to see a friend, landing my flexwing microlight in (what I thought was) a stubble field. I had done this several times previously without any problems. From the air it looked pretty normal, but for some reason I failed to spot that the farmer had run a cultivator through it, substantially loosening the surface. I stopped VERY quickly, and found I needed virtually full power just to taxi. I couldn't get it to turn without getting out and lifting the nose wheel round. The only reason I managed to get airborne was thanks to a slight downhill slope and a light headwind. I certainly wouldn't want to try it again in something with a stalling speed more than double what I was used to...

This happened in my neighborhood last weekend:
Small plane makes emergency landing near Poplar Grove Airport - WREX.com ? Rockford?s News Leader
Yup, you can do it.

Edit: thought it was plowed, but with another look I see that was not the case.