FJ-4B INCIDENT(minor damage) PENSACOLA 11-13-08

Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 4:09 pm

A few years back, before I got my ticket, I was with my instructor coming back from some flight practice, and heard one of our FBO's Piper twins- I think it was a Seminole- coming in with a "simulated engine out" We listened to his calls, and then a frantic call from the FBO directing him to "GO AROUND! GO AROUND!" followed by SILENCE...

We overflew the runway to see what had happened, as we had been just about in the pattern. The Seminole was about 2/3rds the way down the runway, half off to one side, and just past the FBO. Talking to some people who had been there when it happened, we found they had come in beautifully- "looked like a great low pass- until it settled" at which point the props struck, and the belly contacted.

The instructor had pulled the gear to test the student during the simulated emergency- then forgot. And they both missed the final GUMPS check. The instructor lasted there a couple more weeks, but we all had the feeling he was on his way out- this hadn't been his first problem, from what I understood. They had done a simulated gear failure, as well... lol...

Plane was fixed, 2 engines, 2 props, some tinwork... Still flying.

Robbie

jtramo · **Joined:** Wed Nov 05, 2008 8:39 pm **Posts:** 359

"Didnt you hear me yelling go around, your gear isnt down?!?!?"

"No,I couldnt hear you over the sound of the gear horn."

I have seen three and one near gear up of a T-6 just working at an FBO. The t-6 was in the flare and a guy holding short screamed over the radio. I then heard a burble and pop that seemed to take forever before the power came in. Scary to watch.

At the end of the day, it dosent matter what the controller does, you just gotta remember to run the checklists and get the gear down. "Those who have and those who will" is the creedo of the gear up club at their self help meetings.

warbird1 · **Joined:** Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:25 pm **Posts:** 2760

Brad wrote:

mustangdriver wrote:

ATC didn't do him any favors if that is the case as they are supposed to watch each aircraft as it approached an do a scan of the aircraft to ensure that the gear is down. And if it is not, Are to prompt the pilot with "Check gear down".

It was the case...he forgot the gear.

This just goes to show you that even highly experienced pilots can occasionally make a mistake. Does anyone remember a few years back when Snort forgot to lower the gear on the POF's F-86 and landed gear up?

This can happen to anyone. Checklist discipline is absolutely essential and apparently the pilot of the Fury didn't do a Before Landing Checklist.

Obergrafeter · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:06 pm

I've seen three, thankfully no warbirds. Bonanza,and a Viking no big deals, but a King Air 200 now that was a gear up to remember...........you just can't imagine the screaming sound that all that metal hitting the ground at 140kts makes (yes he was fast)

Edspectre · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:15 pm

Any new word on how much damage? I went to the Friday show at Pensacola and did'nt see it anywhere. Anyone know where they are working on it.

262crew · **Joined:** Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:24 pm **Posts:** 877

Brad wrote:

He forgot to lower the gear. Those who have...those who will...

Can anyone substantiate this or is it another case of jumping the gun and pointing fingers, like the MAAM P-61 thread a few months back?

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:24 pm

Good photos of the whole episode on AVWeb which says UNintentional gear up landing

""the owner and pilot of the beautiful Navy version of the F-86 Sabre forgot to lower the gear. ""

Quote:

I have seen three and one near gear up of a T-6 just working at an FBO.

I've been with at least 1 T-6 pilot who would have been better off to leave the gear up in the first place :shock:

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Mon Dec 01, 2008 7:25 pm

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/WheelsUpLandingAtPensacola_199313-1.html#gallery

262crew · **Joined:** Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:24 pm **Posts:** 877

Nothing on FAA or NTSB's websites.

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1132

262crew wrote:

Brad wrote:

He forgot to lower the gear. Those who have...those who will...

Can anyone substantiate this or is it another case of jumping the gun and pointing fingers, like the MAAM P-61 thread a few months back?

You'll just have to trust me, it's substantiated.

kingofthezing · **Posted:** Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:22 pm

I was also told that he forgot to lower the gear, but wasn't sure whether to keep that to myself or publicize it.

Ztex · **Posted:** Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:28 am

On to the restoration of this machine.

Maybe Sabremech can chime in here....but...I was of the understanding that the Sabre wings were rather susceptible to damage...as in certain scratches could be considered a structural problem and could be considered not worthy for flight...If the wings dragged the ground (ie sparks in the photos) there could be a serious threat to a return to flight.

???

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:41 am

Is it me, or does it look to have hit something hard at the very end of it's slide?

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Wed Dec 03, 2008 12:43 am

Well, I watched yet one more time, and I guess it was just the wing digging into the dirt.

kingofthezing · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 1:04 pm

I think the jet is in one of the museum's restoration hangars, but am not 100% sure on that.

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FJ-4B INCIDENT(minor damage) PENSACOLA 11-13-08

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