LHC Plane Crash 10-27-06

[VictoryIzMine]

I went to pick up a friend of mine at the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport on Friday, October 27, 2006. He's a pilot and was flying his plane in from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA with his two sons (ages 5 and 9). I was parked by the D2 pilots lounge when I saw him on his approach for his landing. As he touched down the left landing gears locking pin sheared causing the wing to dip and the props touched the runway. Not knowing exactly what was happening but knowing that something didn't feel quite right; he throttled up and took to the air again for a second attempt. Realizing that he wasn't getting any lift from the damaged props, he turned the plane around and brought it back to the runway. Approaching the runway at 90 degrees, he flared the plane up and banked hard right and set the plane on the ground. The left landing gear completely collapsed this time. Keeping the plane under control the best he can, the plane skidded off the east side of the runway and into the field. The left gas tank ruptured spilling fuel everywhere. Fortunately, there was no flame. Fearing the worst, I drove over to the plane immediately. I was relieved to see my buddy and his sons climbing out onto the right wing and running a safe distance from the plane in case the fuel ignited. The LHCFD was also on seen right away. Everyone on board was checked out on the seen and was given a clean bill of health with no injuries, just shattered nerves. For my friend, he said the next hardest part was making the phone call to his wife. I'm just glad everyone is OK. After ten years of flying, I think my buddy is going to hang up his wings. This was just a little too much of a close call. Here are some pictures of the plane minutes after the crash.
http://octo.org/upload/octophotos/Misc/1027061404.jpg
http://octo.org/upload/octophotos/Misc/1027061405.jpg
http://octo.org/upload/octophotos/Misc/1027061411.jpg

[OGShocker]

Glad they are OK!
That prop repair bill will be a little higher then the one for our boat. :idea:

[Mrs.Racer277]

Very Scary. So glad to hear they are all OK. My dad flys I worry every time.

[HocusPocus]

that was a close call.. i sure wouldn't want to make that call to the wife.

[Sleek-Jet]

I went to pick up a friend of mine at the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport on Friday, October 27, 2006. He's a pilot and was flying his plane in from John Wayne Airport in Orange County, CA with his two sons (ages 5 and 9). I was parked by the D2 pilots lounge when I saw him on his approach for his landing. As he touched down the left landing gears locking pin sheared causing the wing to dip and the props touched the runway. Not knowing exactly what was happening but knowing that something didn't feel quite right; he throttled up and took to the air again for a second attempt. Realizing that he wasn't getting any lift from the damaged props, he turned the plane around and brought it back to the runway. Approaching the runway at 90 degrees, he flared the plane up and banked hard right and set the plane on the ground. The left landing gear completely collapsed this time. Keeping the plane under control the best he can, the plane skidded off the east side of the runway and into the field. The left gas tank ruptured spilling fuel everywhere. Fortunately, there was no flame. Fearing the worst, I drove over to the plane immediately. I was relieved to see my buddy and his sons climbing out onto the right wing and running a safe distance from the plane in case the fuel ignited. The LHCFD was also on seen right away. Everyone on board was checked out on the seen and was given a clean bill of health with no injuries, just shattered nerves. For my friend, he said the next hardest part was making the phone call to his wife. I'm just glad everyone is OK. After ten years of flying, I think my buddy is going to hang up his wings. This was just a little too much of a close call. Here are some pictures of the plane minutes after the crash.
One reason Cessna put the main wing tanks out on the wing tips was to get them away from the cockpit and passanger area... for reasons such as this.
Glad everyone is ok.
Tell him not to quit... appears this an was an accident, and nothing he could have done to prevent it.

[LHC30Victory]

Glad to hear that the outcome was good and that everyone is safe. Congrats on the piloting!
Also glad the airport isn't on the island anymore !!

[VictoryIzMine]

One reason Cessna put the main wing tanks out on the wing tips was to get them away from the cockpit and passanger area... for reasons such as this.
Glad everyone is ok.
Tell him not to quit... appears this an was an accident, and nothing he could have done to prevent it.
You don't see too many Cessna 310's anymore. It's a nice plane. New motors, props, and electronic instrumentation upgrade. It looks like the insurance is going to cover it and the FAA seams to be ruling it a "mechnical malfunction". Suprisingly enough, his wife doesn't want him to quit flying.

[Sleek-Jet]

You don't see too many Cessna 310's anymore. It's a nice plane. New motors, props, and electronic instrumentation upgrade. It looks like the insurance is going to cover it and the FAA seams to be ruling it a "mechnical malfunction". Suprisingly enough, his wife doesn't want him to quit flying.
If she's supportive, that will help. Once his nerves calm down, he'll be wanting to get back up in the air.
To bad about the airplane, I bet it will be a total wright off from the insurance, but the fact that everyone is OK is more important.

[Dave C]

scary.. I hear those twins are widow makers around take-off and landing times.

[Biglue]

Glad it turned out the way it did. I don't blame him for being sktchy about flying anymore either. I'd feel the same way.

[SCR INC]

What broke to cause this ? Just wondering we have a 210 and was just thinking what if. At least they were @ Havasu and not Catalina etc. Glad to hear they are all safe!! Time to start shopping for a new bird!!

[BajaMike]

I can't figure out why the prop is bent on the side with wheel down??
http://octo.org/upload/octophotos/Misc/1027061411.jpg
Did you see the landing?? Are you sure he didn't try to land the first time with the landing gear up?? :idea:

[BajaMike]

What broke to cause this ? Just wondering we have a 210 and was just thinking what if. At least they were @ Havasu and not Catalina etc. Glad to hear they are all safe!! Time to start shopping for a new bird!!
Hard landing or metal fatigue could cause the gear to fail......the 210 is a great plane!!!

[VictoryIzMine]

I can't figure out why the prop is bent on the side with wheel down??
Did you see the landing?? Are you sure he didn't try to land the first time with the landing gear up??
I saw the landing and the landing gear was down. As for the props, I'm thinking the majority of the damage occured during the second landing which was pretty violent at first doing almost a three wheel dance before it disappeared on the east side of the runway and ending up where you see it.

[73kona455]

u can see in the picture that it looks like the wing tank on the right side kissed the ground sometime during the crash.. thats probably when the prop got it... looks like plane tipped up on the right side at sometime in this adventure

[BajaMike]

I saw the landing and the landing gear was down. As for the props, I'm thinking the majority of the damage occured during the second landing which was pretty violent at first doing almost a three wheel dance before it disappeared on the east side of the runway and ending up where you see it.
Well like they say.....a good landing is one you walk away from..... :idea:

[Cat & Mice]

Glad everyone is OK
? would it have crashed if the runway was a giant treadmill? :D
See other plane thread.
MP

[Sleek-Jet]

Well like they say.....a good landing is one you walk away from..... :idea:
An excellent one is when you can use the airplane again... :D
I still can't see the tread mill in the picture though... I'm confused... :idea: