Sink Hole

[Mark Julicher]

The attached photo illustrates the result of being swallowed by a sink hole in the sky. Let me explain...

At 1T8, about 1000 feet short of the approach end of runway 34 is a wide creek bed which runs 90 degrees to the approach path. Now this creek is 300 yards wide and 50 feet deep. Wind out of the North follows the nap of the earth down into the creek bed. The result is a definite downdraft as you cross the creek on short final.

Imaging you are on a normal glide path but perhaps 5 knots slower that you ought to be. Now imagine the downdraft catches you unawares and you are sinking into the tree-tops along the creek.

What do you do now?

A. Pull back on the pole and hope for the best.
B. Hit the softest tree and drop into the creek.
C. Add power to climb through the sinking air.

The NTSB is still investigating, but it appears that this fellow chose answer B. The plane is facing 180 degrees from the runway. The wing now has polyhedral. Propeller is broken off. engine mount is broken. Canopy fell out due to the fuselage twisting violently. Nose wheel is broken off. Essentially there is nothing left to salvage except the radio stack. Apparently all the bending metal absorbed most of the impact energy because the pilot walked away.

[Marv]

Re: Sink Hole

If he walked away, it must have been a successful landing. Marv

[flyguy]

Re: Sink Hole

I once went to look at a Whitman Tailwind in Georgia, but didn't buy it. On the way back via airlines I really started noticing the solid tree cover everywhere in that part of the country, with few if any visible openings. Out here I can fly for hundreds of miles without getting over anything like that. Just scattered oak trees, grassy hills, and flat farmland. You guys back there must have real faith in your engines. Mountains I handle OK, but miles of trees I find bit unnerving.
DC

[crispy critter]

Re: Sink Hole

I once went to look at a Whitman Tailwind in Georgia, but didn't buy it. On the way back via airlines I really started noticing the solid tree cover everywhere in that part of the country, with few if any visible openings. Out here I can fly for hundreds of miles without getting over anything like that. Just scattered oak trees, grassy hills, and flat farmland. You guys back there must have real faith in your engines. Mountains I handle OK, but miles of trees I find bit unnerving.
DC

You wouldn't like east kentucky very well then,lol....it is a lot of both....steep hills,mountains, all covered in trees.

[barnstmr]

Re: Sink Hole

Looks like a Grumman Tiger

Here's a little clarification about the terrain for those not from the south... In Texas, the creeks are normally dry or near dry, only with water during and after a rain for a day or so. So when Mark is saying 50 feet deep and 300 feet wide, he's not talking about water.... I am sure he is referring to a dry gully more commonly known around here as a Creek Bed or a Draw, which would be rugged and rocky with random scrub brush trees in most instances.