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Video: Surprisingly Bad Way to Stop Fast

By Robert Goyer / Published: May 10, 2012
Related Tags: Accidents
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When it comes to aircraft modifications, things happen in Alaska that don’t happen in the lower 48. Here is one of those things, a Super Cub with at least a few mods from the look of it, the most noticeable of which is a very long landing gear extension.

Now, what exactly is the reason for the grasshopper gear is a good question to ponder, but an even better one might be, “What is the natural tendendency of a very tall, top-heavy object on long spindly legs?” The answer to this latter question can be seen and not read in this video captured at Lake Hood a short while ago.

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Stephan Wilkinson's picture
Submitted by Stephan Wilkinson on May 10, 2012.

this had nothing to do with the extended gear. it was obviously a spot-landing contest, as you can see from the traffic cones. spot-landing contests are routine every nice weekend among bush pilots (and, in this case, perhaps wannabe bush pilots). he simply braked too hard.

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Gabriel's picture
Submitted by Gabriel on May 10, 2012.

The reason for these long legs probably is to increase the deck angle on the ground and hence the max AoA achievable during take-off roll. These planes, as originally designed and build, have an AoA when running on three points that is below the critical AoA (i.e. the AoA of max lift and start of the stall). Increasing that AoA allows the plane to take off at the minimum speed possible (stall speed), thus allowing slower lift-off speeds and shorter take-off rolls.

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Gabriel's picture
Submitted by Gabriel on May 10, 2012.

Stephan,
While I agree with your conclusion that braking too hard was the cause of the event, the longs legs (plus large tundra wheels) was certainly a factor, since that puts the braking force much lower-than-normal below the CG, thus making a stronger pitch-down moment with the same braking force. In other words, it takes a harder braking to nose-over a "normal" plane that one modified with extended legs and larger wheels.

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BDeDenko's picture
Submitted by BDeDenko on May 10, 2012.

Gents:
It wouldn't surprise me if the brakes weren't applied at all. Those large tundra wheels take some energy to start their rotation, and some of that translates into rotation of the fuselage (pitching). The long gear is a contributor, as well.

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kadmow's picture
Submitted by kadmow on May 11, 2012.

Too slow, ineffective elevator (at stall speed) full up elevator doesn't work.. oops. Too much drag at the wheels... Maybe needs a CG further aft (or gear further foward) for these short landing stunts...

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builder2b's picture
Submitted by builder2b on May 11, 2012.

Comments by Stephan Wilkinson & Gabriel show a tendency to assume conclusions without much evidence; glad you guys are not NTSB inspectors.

I do agree with Gabriel insomuch as the longer landing gear can provide a longer "lever" with which to induce an undesirable outcome, however, I do not believe we should "conclude" anything without as much information as possible first....?

So many conclusions in all of the comments.

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