Smokehouse
Master of the Bounce
- Joined
- May 20, 2003
- Posts
- 26
Well today I witnessed the importance of flaring before landing on the nosewheel.
Instructor and I went out to do some touch and go's and while we were taxxing out to the runway, we were watching a cessna come in, well he was watching I was foor steering .
The instructor made some comment about the plane that wasn't picked up in the intercom but it was enough for me to take a look at the plane. I looked over and all I saw was the back two wheels locked up and smoking as this poor guy came to a screeching hault. The guy got out and walked arounf the airplane and of cource we quickly monitored ground and CT freq to see what was going on. A few minutes later he requested from ground for someone to come out and tow him back in because he " seriously damaged this airplane" I felt so sorry for the guy, you could hear it in his voice. We couldnt tell if the Prop hit, but it seemed to stop quickly as well. We never were able to find out what caused it, it was a little windy out and clouds were building, I dont know if he just wasnt paying attention or got knocked down, but it really made you feel bad for this guy. Anyway, the first thing my instructor said, other than "oh sh**" was, that is exactly why you flare on landings, you dont want to land flat at all let alone nosewheel first, they just arent built to handle it.
Now I know everyone on here is well aware of that, but for us newbies, I would be willing to bet that not many people have actually witnessed the results of nose first landings.
Just thought I would pass along.
KGB
Instructor and I went out to do some touch and go's and while we were taxxing out to the runway, we were watching a cessna come in, well he was watching I was foor steering .
The instructor made some comment about the plane that wasn't picked up in the intercom but it was enough for me to take a look at the plane. I looked over and all I saw was the back two wheels locked up and smoking as this poor guy came to a screeching hault. The guy got out and walked arounf the airplane and of cource we quickly monitored ground and CT freq to see what was going on. A few minutes later he requested from ground for someone to come out and tow him back in because he " seriously damaged this airplane" I felt so sorry for the guy, you could hear it in his voice. We couldnt tell if the Prop hit, but it seemed to stop quickly as well. We never were able to find out what caused it, it was a little windy out and clouds were building, I dont know if he just wasnt paying attention or got knocked down, but it really made you feel bad for this guy. Anyway, the first thing my instructor said, other than "oh sh**" was, that is exactly why you flare on landings, you dont want to land flat at all let alone nosewheel first, they just arent built to handle it.
Now I know everyone on here is well aware of that, but for us newbies, I would be willing to bet that not many people have actually witnessed the results of nose first landings.
Just thought I would pass along.
KGB
