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Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:04:47 -0500
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From: Bob Barker <barkerasset@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Recovery from wheel off runway
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How about BOTH wheels off the runway?  I once landied on a short runway with 
high thick trees on both sides and a strong crosswind. At 75 ft the strong 
crosswind, for which I was correcting nicely, suddenly disappeared . I found 
myself parallel to the runway over a gravel taxiway and with a commercial 
building at the far end of the short runway/taxiway. I landed very well, on 
the gravel taxiway.

The interesting part of the story is I had an examiner on board and it was 
on my checkride for my private ticket! Why in the world did you land on the 
taxiway, he asked. My reply, "I was stabilized, on speed on spot, and wasn't 
sure I could clear the building in front of me on a go around. And it was 
clear there was no ground conflict on the taxiway".  I was sure he would 
fail me but he gave me my ticket. I believe he was wrong to do so but that's 
not my point.

The point is every instance is different. My examiner must have thought I 
used good judgement for a student. Often outcome is used to judge judgement 
but outcome is an invalid means of measurement. I don't think there is 
anything specific to learn from this sad accident about what to do once a 
wheel leaves the runway. But if the Velocity was not near enough to the 
centerline before touchdown perhaps he should have gone around before 
touching down. Thats what I should have done.

I recommend an occassional practise go around at 10 ft. It clears the mind 
of the idea that go arounds are something dreadful.