Saving a plane by removing the pilot.

"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
12/16/2014 at 10:50 • Filed to: planelopnik

A flat spin is literally what it sounds like. When the plane falls at such an angle that airflow over any control surface does not exist, then the plane can't recover. In the winter of 1970 a F-106 in a flat spin was hopeless so the pilot decided to eject. The missing weight changed the whole balance. The plane recovered on its own and landed softly in a cornfield with minimal damage.

The pilot punched out at 15,000 feet and the plane righted itself and glided on down to a farmers field in Montana. While under the parachute, the pilot recieved a radio message from another pilot on the mission orbiting above saying, "You'd better get back in it!" They watched the plane glide down and land. After landing, the engine was still running at idle power. It eventually ran out of fuel after an hour and a half.

An officer on the recovery team noted such little damage that if there were any less he would have flown it out of the cornfield himself. They removed the wings and put it on a flat rail car moving it back to base. It was repaired and put back in to service. You can now see "The cornfield bomber" on display at the Air Force museum in Dayton, Ohio.

DISCUSSION (18)

McMike > Grindintosecond
12/16/2014 at 10:55

If this wasn't documented, this is one of those kinds of things that end up in one of my feeds that would be so easy to call "bullshit" on.

"Pilot ejects, and plane lands itself" —> Yeah, right.

CB > McMike
12/16/2014 at 10:58

It almost makes sense. I mean, planes aren't designed to fall out of the sky the moment the pilot decides he has better things to do, right? The only thing I find unbelievable is the fact that it landed so perfectly .

Chris Clarke > Grindintosecond
12/16/2014 at 11:00

Reminds me of this which I've been considering writing a short piece about.

http://www.ntsb.gov/aviationquery/…

Grindintosecond > McMike
12/16/2014 at 11:02

I know whwat you mean. Wait, "was documented" ? it is.

Grindintosecond > Chris Clarke
12/16/2014 at 11:03

link isnt working for me on my hotel-tastic IE house computer.

McMike > Grindintosecond
12/16/2014 at 11:07

Shit, I meant "If it wasn't"

Chris Clarke > Grindintosecond
12/16/2014 at 11:08

Its not you, NTSB changed their website, but since their run by the government, its all fucked up. This should work. Maybe.

http://www.ntsb.gov/_layouts/ntsb.…

The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division

Accident occurred Saturday, December 06, 1997 in CAIRO, MO

Probable Cause Approval Date: 05/21/1998

Aircraft: Piper PA-24, registration: N8452P

Injuries: 1 Minor.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot had climbed to 5,500 ft MSL & had trimmed the airplane at cruise power settings. He set the GPS navigation system for a direct flight, then engaged the autopilot & switched the fuel selector to the left auxiliary fuel tank. He remembered passing Herrington, KS, at which time, he set his radios for arrival at Topeka, Ks. From that point, he could not remember anything else about the flight until he 'awoke' in a flat hay field near Cairo, MO. (The airplane had touched down in a wings level attitude and slid about 525 ft before hitting a fence & small trees.) When the pilot 'initially awoke,' he was confused & thought he was still airborne. Eventually, he walked to a farm house & after waiting another 1 to 1-1/2 hr, an ambulance arrived to take him to a hospital. Subsequently, blood was drawn. Toxicology tests of his blood showed 26.8% saturation with carbon monoxide. Inspection of the airplane revealed the right muffler had a crack around one of its seams, which allowed exhaust fumes into the cabin heater housing & into the cabin. The airplane had recently been taken to an airplane service center for an annual inspection. The pilot decided to fly the airplane before the annual inspection had been signed off.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

a fractured muffler, failure of the owner/pilot to ensured that the annual maintenance inspection had been completed before flight, and subsequent pilot incapacitation due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Grindintosecond > Chris Clarke
12/16/2014 at 11:11

Yup. Silly pilot.

BJ > Grindintosecond
12/16/2014 at 11:11

Neat story!

That's a big plane, too. 38' across by almost 71' long, compared to an F16 at approximately 33' by 49' long.

XJDano > Chris Clarke
12/16/2014 at 11:24

He should have set the heater to fresh air instead of circulate.

Chris Clarke > XJDano
12/16/2014 at 11:33

Ha, good thought! But it only has 1 setting. Toxic or off in this case.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Grindintosecond
12/16/2014 at 12:35

That big 'ol delta configuration just wants to be in the air no matter what!

KirkyV > Grindintosecond
12/16/2014 at 12:50

I'm astounded that it settled into such a mild glide. That shot of it in the field looks like something out of Star Wars.

Kinja'd!!!

Still, it's not my favourite, 'Well, that plane isn't supposed to be there' shot.

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > Grindintosecond
12/16/2014 at 16:38

Reminds me of a T-38 pilot training incident. New student, not so seasoned IP. Both complained of aircraft control issues, tried to get back to base but couldn't. Both initiated ejection procedures, but as soon as the student was out, IP regained control and flew A/C home safe. Investigation revealed student was fighting against instructor's inputs, i.e., never let go.

burntartichoke > Grindintosecond
12/16/2014 at 19:35

It reminds me of this:

http://www.aerofiles.com/tiger-tail.htm…

Howard > Grindintosecond
12/17/2014 at 05:54

Another great story of glider making a pilotless crash landing. Especially the way that the pilot exited the airplane is almost unbelievable.

http://www.glidingcaboolture.org.au/what_went_wron…

Viggen > Grindintosecond
12/18/2014 at 00:42

Interesting what planes will do when their pilot has decided to bail. Take that Soviet MiG-23 that made it to Belgium before tragically crashing into a house.

Grindintosecond > Viggen
12/18/2014 at 00:48

indeed. That one is scarier