Sea Fury landing gear collapse

[oz rb fan]

HRT your probably....i think he did a great job getting her on the ground in pretty much one piece, still a shame to see her in the dirt

[Adam the Akrodude]

The pilot did a superb job I reckon. In this video I found, he drops the gear at the last moment when he knows he's made the strip. It appears not enough pressure in the system to lock it - just appears to drop under gravity. Guessing here (this being a question to others) that even with the hyd pump not making pressure, there was not enough pressure stored in the system (via hyd accumulator) to drive the gear down? Perhaps he used all the remaining pressure to get the flaps down? What a dilemma - not high enough to bail out (and risk aeroplane killing people on the ground), can't drop the gear too early and use the hyd hand pump (and fly the plane at the same time!) plus high rate of decent. One thing the Sea Fury has is lots of energy and I guess the pilot used every ounce of energy to convert to height here. He no doubt was busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking competition - Bravo and top marks Sir!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_sf9OK8P6k

Borrowed this from Wikipedia

" The hydraulic system, necessary to operate the retractable undercarriage and tail hook, as well as moving the wing flaps, was pressurised to 1,800 psi by an engine-driven pump. If this failed a hand pump in the cockpit could also power these systems"


Great airmanship - he knows that if he attempts to drop the gear early, he may not make the runway. Drops the gear when runway safety made hoping that it will lock. When the right gear fails, he quickly it appears retracts the gear saving it being ripped off or causing a cartwheel.

Touch wood I've never suffered a engine failure. I know guys who have - luckily in all cases near the runway. 2 out of the 3 had major damage but luckily no injury. What I gathered from talking to them is how fast everything happens with the brain going into overload (dumbing down). Rate of decent can be fast giving little time and reducing options (bailout, etc).