Check out this hi-res video of a Cessna 182 accidentally landing with the gear up.
I saw this on FL350 and contacted the videographer, Paul Wingo, to get written permission to upload it to YouTube as FL350 doesn't allow video embedding and they have all sorts of scary warnings about how they'll sue the pants off anyone who uploads videos from their site to Youtube or Myspace etc. I repeat, I have written permission from the author, Paul Wingo, to upload this.
This is what Paul said about the flight:
"There was a snow storm approaching in about an hour and we were doing a check ride. Because of possible ice, we had been flying with the gear down the entire time. We started doing touch and goes after a while. Habit when you take off is to raise the gear. This is what happened. So, when we come around, they were conversing and what not and simply forgot the gear was up."
I'm not gonna criticize the pilots at all, because if I do, I am guaranteeing that I'll forget to put the gear down on my next flight.
That's a heartbreaker.
ReplyDeleteHeartbreaker is definitely the best word for it. Who can watch this without feeling it in the pit of their stomach? They say there are 2 types of pilots (and I'm still in the group that "hasn't") which makes it sound like it's just a matter of time for us all. Seeing this and hearing the gear horn obviously being ignored really drives the point home.
ReplyDeleteAnd the problem with horns and bells is after a while we tune them out so easily. The newer Ground Proximity Warning Systems (GPWS) use a very commanding voice: "Too low - Gear!" Or so I've been told - heh heh...
ReplyDeleteYeah but at the same time, I fly a Cherokee (not an Arrow) on occassion that has this nice British lady that says "pull up!" over and over again when you're on short final, even though there's no way the gear could possibly be up. You learn to tune her out to.
ReplyDeleteOh geez. There even seems to be a moment when back seat can see the gear isn't down, as he aims the camera out the side window.
ReplyDeletetrue i haven't been in a complex SEL in awhile, and never in a 182RG, but the first thing i noticed when i clicked the play button was that annoying horn... if any good comes outta this unfrnt video let it be that a horn or flashing light means something... if no actual action is required, it should AT LEAST be considered, but NEVER ignored. And another lesson: from an Arrow to a B747, CHECKLISTS. Read every checklist like your future boss (chief pilot) was watching. It might not ensure an accident-free career, but just may help keep your actions off utube..
ReplyDeletehappy flying...
DA50 driver