Warbird Information Exchange

It had TF-33's on it, but they're pretty reliable and have plenty of thrust.

I wouldn't read too much into the tire marks right now. If they attempted to abort the takeoff, they could have locked up the tires (even with anti-skid, it's still possible) causing the streaks.

If you turn the red handle marked 'EMERGENCY BRAKING' anti skid is bypassed and all the brakes are on full right now!! because compressed nitrogen is sent into the brakes downstream of the deboost valves-ain't no modulating or turning the system off, the mechanics just get a bigger truck to haul more new tires to the scene 'cause the ones on the plane are ground down to the wheels.

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Don't make me go get my flying monkeys-

Blown tire just @ V1 is a hand full even in a Challenger...

Or perhaps the reporter is paraphrasing a reference made to a KC-135 which is indeed a little smaller in stature and is often mistakenly refered to as a B-707. Though the type rating is the same (I know, I have one) the KC-135 is, in fact, the original B-717. Never can tell about those "newsies."

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Cheers,

Craig

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Check the smoke on the video. It looks like a strong 90 degree crosswind, which may have exceeded the limits of the aircraft.

BTW, winds were most definitely a factor. Here's the METAR from an hour and a half later -

I bolded the important part. The accident occurred at 0025Z. I believe demonstrated maximum crosswind for the 707 is 35 knots, and they were using runway 21 (210.6* magnetic) for takeoff making for a 70 degree crosswind from the right and thus effectively a 100% crosswind component.

If they aborted due to the loss of an engine on the left side (#1 or #2), then it would most certainly make it an almost impossible feat to keep the plane on the runway. Engine failure at V1 is always dicey and even more-so on a tanker (caused more than a few KC-135 crashes over the years in fact). Add in that massive crosswind, and the outcome could have easily been worse, so mega kudos for the crew keeping it on the ground and upright during the whole thing letting them get out okay even though the plane isn't.

From Forbes.com -

(http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/05/ ... 76582.html)


Don't think there's much more to say beyond that.