Pittsartist
Well Known Member
For the first time in 18 years, I finally managed to get myself completely STUCK on some soft, muddy ground earlier this week.
Until this happened It has never really hit me just how big a problem this could actually be. In the back of my mind I'd always thought the aeroplane could just be dragged / dug out much like a car etc. I've just found out the hard way it's NOT like that !.
I'd be very interested to hear from some of the experienced guys on the forum about how best to deal with this problem ?.
First, some context.
An RV-6 tail dragger, 50% fuel, otherwise empty. so about 1350lb. 160hp F/P prop, Standard wheels, spats. aftermarket tailwheel.
I'd got up early and taken off after a night of -4C temperatures - Light snow on the ground, I know now that there was a frozen crust on the turf. The ground itself was not unusual (not quite sure how to describe "regular" soil - but not sand or clay - just regular ground at the side of what is usually a wheat field)
When I returned an hour later I landed OK, turned 180 and back tracked towards hangers, but hit a soft patch about 50' from the ramp. The aircraft stopped quite quickly and that was it - no amount of power was going to get it moving again !.
When I shut down / got out I saw that the ground had melted in a sunny patch and was now fairly deep mud about the consistency of soft plasticine. The main wheels had sunk so the spats were about 2" below surface level.
I did eventually get the aircraft out, It took roughly 3 hours and involved 2 people, shovels, cardboard, timber and a LOT of very hard work. ..... NEVER Again !!!
Back to the reason for the post. This is not the sort of "emergency" they teach you how to deal with in flying school. I'm pretty good at spotting and handling soft runways - but I'm interested to hear peoples thoughts on how to deal with a stuck aircraft.
Tow it ?. (where from / how ?)
Dig it out ?
Use the Engine (Or just push ?.)
Go Forwards or Backwards ?.
Do's / Dont's ?
Etc Etc .........
Until this happened It has never really hit me just how big a problem this could actually be. In the back of my mind I'd always thought the aeroplane could just be dragged / dug out much like a car etc. I've just found out the hard way it's NOT like that !.
I'd be very interested to hear from some of the experienced guys on the forum about how best to deal with this problem ?.
First, some context.
An RV-6 tail dragger, 50% fuel, otherwise empty. so about 1350lb. 160hp F/P prop, Standard wheels, spats. aftermarket tailwheel.
I'd got up early and taken off after a night of -4C temperatures - Light snow on the ground, I know now that there was a frozen crust on the turf. The ground itself was not unusual (not quite sure how to describe "regular" soil - but not sand or clay - just regular ground at the side of what is usually a wheat field)
When I returned an hour later I landed OK, turned 180 and back tracked towards hangers, but hit a soft patch about 50' from the ramp. The aircraft stopped quite quickly and that was it - no amount of power was going to get it moving again !.
When I shut down / got out I saw that the ground had melted in a sunny patch and was now fairly deep mud about the consistency of soft plasticine. The main wheels had sunk so the spats were about 2" below surface level.
I did eventually get the aircraft out, It took roughly 3 hours and involved 2 people, shovels, cardboard, timber and a LOT of very hard work. ..... NEVER Again !!!
Back to the reason for the post. This is not the sort of "emergency" they teach you how to deal with in flying school. I'm pretty good at spotting and handling soft runways - but I'm interested to hear peoples thoughts on how to deal with a stuck aircraft.
Tow it ?. (where from / how ?)
Dig it out ?
Use the Engine (Or just push ?.)
Go Forwards or Backwards ?.
Do's / Dont's ?
Etc Etc .........