Three people escaped unharmed

[Jim Peace]

http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/three-passengers-okay-after-crash-landing-at-victoria-airport-1.3411592

[milotron]

The aircraft is a 1997 M20, non-turbo. C-GGIM on a flight from Tofino to Chilliwack and diverted to Victoria with mechanical issues. Not sure what was wrong with the gear though. Would be interested to hear.

Looking at flightaware, this aircraft sure gets around! Victoria, Saskatoon, Florida, Bahamas in less than a month....wow. I wish I had the time for that kind of flying!

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/CGGIM/history/20170512/1830Z/CYAZ/CYCW/tracklog

Not sure what happened enroute but he has some -3000 foot descent rates there from 9000 down to 2700. I heard a rumour of a spiral dive or something causing 'hydraulic failure' ( not my words...). A bunch of convective cloud in the area at that time, maybe icing escape gone wrong?

 

Glad to hear that there were no injuries.

[kortopates]

Its an Ovation

From the article: "The plane was headed back to Chilliwack when it requested to land in Victoria, becase [sic] the pilot had concerns about the landing gear."

That sounds like a misquote,  as we would not expect a pilot to make an emergency descent for landing, if that's what that was, or take any extra-ordinary measures, to get down quickly because of concerns for the landing gear. Yet descent rate was at 3K/min, on and off for most of a minute.

 

[milotron]

Knowing that area, and the weather yesterday, I suspect the may have been trying to escape towering cumulus or ice and something happened.  Not sure if if was related to or caused the landing gear issue.

 

The maintenance shop does my work also and will inquire about the issue next time I am there.

[milotron]

Heard a bit more about this yesterday...

The aircraft had a loss of control in convective weather and had a spiral dive or similar high speed descent. The wings were both damaged just outboard of the fuel tanks and visibly bent upwards with paint crinkled and cracked on the top side.

After this event they diverted to Victoria where upon final the tower let them know that one of their mains was hanging down already. They dropped all the gear and showed green and appeared to be locked. A circuit was completed for inspection by tower and fire response staff and all was down, but the offending mean collapsed on landing.  I understand that insurance is still looking at the repair or write-off path.

I suspect a lesser aircraft may actually have broken up rather than staying in one piece.

[LANCECASPER]

That continuous spar probably saved their lives.

[L. Trotter]

A plug for the Mooney Summit Sept 29-Oct 1 2017......I had a very similar experience in a 231 years ago. We will be discussing this topic (thunderstorms) using my experience as a back drop and the Mooney wing/flight instruments/lightning strikes/ hail/ATC etc. I understand that TON of good info will be presented at the Summit to make the trip well worth it. Yes, the Moony spar saved my bacon!

[Piloto]

Wonder what kind of weather awareness the pilot used on this flight that he could not evade the weather.

José

[carusoam]

Changing configuration when the wings have been bent already, is not highly recommended...

something broke the landing gear and they are stronger than the flaps.

A long safe runway with rescue equipment available sounds like a good idea.

The decision to save the plane can be done in ground effect.  But can still become disastrous.  

Bent wings? i will be wanting to land gear-up, flaps-up, and dialing Mr. Grim Fox upon coming to a screeching halt...

I'm glad these folks came away in good condition.  There will be plenty to learn from their experience.

PP thoughts only, not a mechanic...

prior to the descent the plane is level in ordinary cruise speeds.

3:12 to 3:15 descending from 9k' to 7k' at near Vne/redline speeds according to radar data...

3:15 to 3:17 descending from 7k' to 3k' the wild ride is on.

PP observations only...

Best regards,

-a-

 

Edited May 28, 2017 by carusoam

[gsxrpilot]

I'm with Anthony. If I knew the wings were bent as indicated by the wrinkling of the top skins, I wouldn't deploy the gear, but would slide it in.

[peevee]

The insurance company bought her the second the wings bent. Nothing to be gained.

[MyNameIsNobody]

Glad they made it through their wing testing descent.  Lived to tell the tale.  

Sobering.

[Yetti]

Crinkled wings I would not be messing around with a fly by.  Tower "clear the field NOW.  I am putting her on the ground"

I would guess the wings bent up (or down) enough to snap the rod end on the gear mechanism.  Which would make a nice "safety release valve" to hold the wing on the plane a bit longer.