Thread: What to do...
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Old 08-31-2000, 12:43 PM
canasdad canasdad is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Livermore, CA
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canasdad
I've read all the replies, and am appalled by some. (I am an ex CFII, ex military and ex Alaskan Bush Pilot with over 5000 hrs, ~4000 in Alaska)The key word in any landing, emergency or otherwise is CONTROL! You lose control in a stall, and hitting a tree (trunk or branch) head-on at 50+ MPH can spoil your whole week. Tree tops are guaranteed to have branches in them. Land the aircraft like you should in any short/soft field situation, at minimum controllable speed. Try to land between tree trunks, and use your wings to reduce your kinetic energy by allowing them to crumple and/or ripped off. Even if you only see the tops, aim between them in the clearest area straight ahead- no turns except very small one to avoid above-mentioned obstacles. You don't have too many options. Your aim is to keep the cabin structure (and your human cargo)intact. Then pray. Your plane is probably scrap anyway.
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