OMG!! Lancair prop failure, lands safely!

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:20 pm

This is UNBELIEVABLE!! The pilot did an outstanding job of getting to the runway with an almost perfect touchdown...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0txEC0Rhdg

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:56 pm

AWESOME!

I have made worse landings WITH a prop!

CJ

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:05 pm

He does do an awesome job. I had to watch it a couple of times. It would be interestign to see a video from the outside too.

Brantel · Post by **Brantel** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:12 am

Wow! Must be a stong engine mount.

Interesting to watch how reletively smooth the vibrations were until the prop slowed enough to cause extreme oscillations. Bet that guy had to clean out his pants when he got out.

1:1_Scale · Post by **1:1_Scale** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:33 am

Here's the "after" pic:

"One blade of the two-bladed prop departed along with the turbo-charger, several intake pipes and the fuel injection and water system."

Here's the website:
http://www.davemorss.com/409L.html

RV7Factory · Post by **RV7Factory** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:32 pm

Small world.

Karen Morss owned the flight school where I got my ticket.

And... that 3 seconds of replica P-38 video at the very end, that's my home base (Livermore).

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:19 pm

Now that would be major pucker factor.

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:42 pm

After watching the video, I noticed that he pulled UP to slow the aircraft down and get the prop stopped sooner as well as give him more altitude for gliding distance. This may have saved his bacon because the longer it spins unbalanced the greater the chance he might have lost more parts up front and possibly lost his C.G.

What was also interesting was that it sounded like he put the gear down pretty quickly after the engine stopped. I wonder it that was a good idea given that it would have lessened his glide range.

Ultimately, it looked as if a lot of practice/training took over when it happened, and he did rather well, given the circumstances.
Hopefully I never have to deal with something like that, but if I do, I hope the outcome is as good as his was.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:04 pm

Don't know if anyone has checked out the guy's website, but he is a VERY experienced pilot in Warbirds. I'd bet that he has a TON of training on emergency situations.

I noticed the pitchup right away too, Dave. Seemed almost automatic and instinctive!

Neat website, check it out if you haven't...

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:50 pm

That's what Reno racers do to signal a mayday. Rapid pull up until they get to best glide then head for home.