Recent content by bpolits

The report states, "...[they] had been trying to land at Yakushima Airport with one engine on fire."

The outboard section of the right wing looks compromised after the tip float falls off. Also appears to be leading edge damage. I can imagine whatever took the float off twisted the wingtip to negative aoa. RIP

Whoa, now that you mention it, that makes sense. I originally put it down to improper technique/training or panic. Did you check out the elevator position throughout the maneuver? If it wasn't intentional, the pilot clearly froze with the stick in his chest, blanking the rudder, keeping R...

My assumption is that whether or not he lost the engine, the "ground scar" and lack of debris field indicate the plane came straight down; this is what to me indicates a stall/spin. Had he been flying/gliding I think that the shallow angle would have been evident from what was left on the...

I don't think it's a cakewalk because of the force of the wind against the face and head at A400M speeds (over 100kt). Lotsa things could go wrong.