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Michael,
I agree that treetops may be preferable to hard
obstacles if those are your only choices.
However, trees are not as soft when you are in a
Lancair as in a glider.
An "off the top of my head" estimate would be
double the approach speed, double the weight and half the wingspan - compared to
a glider.
There is much less chance of being caught by the
branches and therefore, there might be a second, uncontrolled crash from falling
out of the treetops.
Also, you are not going to burn in a glider
crash.
In the service, I know of a T-37 that landed in a
cornfield. The pilots walked but the plane was destroyed by impact
with cornstalks. Landing speed of about 60 -70 kts. 4000 lb aluminum
airplane.
And I know of one Lancair 360 piloted by a very
good friend, Jim Rogers, that went down in scrub oak trees. Video shows a
very controlled descent. Jim died in the fire.
My plan will be to avoid hard obstacles - the best
way I can.
Mark Ravinski
360 1488 hrs
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, October 04, 2010 8:06
AM
Subject: [LML] Tree Landings
It may be counter intuitive but treetops are actually
‘soft’. They bend and absorb energy over a fairly long period compared to
other ground obstructions. I would favor landing in dense trees over a field
full of stumps and rocks.
It is well known in the glider community that tree-top
landings result in pilots that walk away and surprisingly light aircraft
damage as long as the plane maintains flying speed all the way in. I
have personally picked up after two of these and know of four others. In only
one case was there any injury to the pilot and that was minor. Dense trees are
preferred because falling to the ground after the ‘landing’ is where the
people can get injured.
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