Warbird Information Exchange

" I guess it was just a matter of bad piloting then since no one else in his flight shared the same misfortune.

Absent a mechanical failure (to which Henry never alluded), what explanation is feasible?

Yes, the glare off those high-elevation Austrian lakes can be ferocious. Good thing he wasn't contending with AAA or Luftwaffe fighters at the same time. "

It is not just on thos high-elevation lakes, where you get the glare effect.

A P-51D now restored and flying in the markings of City of Winnipeg Squadron (well, some parts from the original Mustang anyway) crashed while serving with the Uruguayan Air Force as FAU-252 in the 1950s, precisely due to the glare.

The pilot was on a strafing run, during practice, when the mirror-like effect on the water, made him lose perception of his height, and crashed into the lake waters, perishing in the crash.

Nothing to do with being a bad pilot, simply a physical phenomenom that some people can survive, and some people cannot.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Saludos,


Tulio

Tulio,

Thank you for the historical example.

Regards,

Shade Ruff

WHat Tulio is referring to in part, is called "glassy water' and is the most common reason for accidents in the seaplane community. In calm wind it is difficult to accurately perceive where the surface of the water exactly is. Sunny high glare days can give the water a perfect mirror like finish , while overcast days or a rainstorm at the other end of the lake can obscure where the dark rain ends and the water begins.
I have misjudged and have had seaplane students misjudge this height many times. Sometimes by 5 feet and the worst was by 200' (both high and low) of actual height above the water. I have been cruising down a river or reservoir and thought we were about 50 feet above the water only to see a tree stump or other visual reference and realize we're only 10 feet or so. Many think this is the most dangerous part of seaplane flying. Sometimes your eyes fail to clarify, it's like they can't focus and interpret properly.
Would love to know if the pilot knew he was that close to the surface. Isn't there a B-29 in Lake Meade that made the same mistake?

Henry Mohr told me that his watching the elemet leader has he was rejoining formation and touched the water without realizing he was going too. Has he was in level flight the Jug skipped and became airborne again before touching down for the last time. He also said the glare off the water was very bad and he was having trouble getting a good sight picture on his element leader much less the water itself.

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Don't touch my junk!!

I'm not gonna name names nor any other info about how or why but I got to take a look at the plane in person and I am amazed at how well it is preserved,stenciling and decals cover most components.Artwork on fuselage is legible.all aluminium not bent in original crash are in great shape.it smells of motor oil and hydraulic fluid.I felt honored to take a peek.``````````````

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"WHAT ME WORRY?"