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(Video) Harrier Lands on "Stool" After Front Gear Failure, Interview With Pilot
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. William Mahoney, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), AV-8B Harrier jet pilot, talks about his experience during a controlled landing after his front landing gear malfunctioned on his aircraft aboard the USS Bataan (LHD 5) at sea, June 7, 2014. (youtu.be) Plus d'info...
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Heavy front end....I would have thought it 'should' have been softer than that after all Hans Solo.....er....Harrison Ford landed softer without an engine!
Han Solo had a set of repulsorlift coils installed from the spares cache on the Millennium Falcon for just such an emergency.
Posted some time ago.
Great Video
I suspect the normal landing is to get to a minimum height and then reduce power 10% or so. That would get the jet down quickly but not dangerously fast, but it also would avoid higher thrust settings and FOD. It would also prevent over powering back into a slow climb and starting PIOs.
Had heard one report that was praising the "Sargent" who came up with this solution. However, I suspect this is standard equipment that is always around when Harriers are assigned to any ship. Most aircraft have specific jack points so that landing gear retraction testing/repairs can be done. A 'pillow' is probably easier to position in a hostile environment than trying to find a six inch 'hard point'! ;-) The vid does point out the sturdy airframe, however!! Two thumbs up!!
Had heard one report that was praising the "Sargent" who came up with this solution. However, I suspect this is standard equipment that is always around when Harriers are assigned to any ship. Most aircraft have specific jack points so that landing gear retraction testing/repairs can be done. A 'pillow' is probably easier to position in a hostile environment than trying to find a six inch 'hard point'! ;-) The vid does point out the sturdy airframe, however!! Two thumbs up!!
I'm not surprised the nose bounced on the "stool" - Harriers always seem to drop like a rock those last few feet. Good job - nicely done - live to fly another day.
