Another close call (Typhoon at Waddington)

[RichC]

Can't be described as anything but a "close call".
In fact, the pilot was literally a few feet from pranging it big time and knocking off the landing gear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... xLg2iRkOdQ

Why is it, year in, year out at airshows (and normaly daily movements at certain airfields) we see fast jets touch down extremely close to the threshold/runway end.
We see it at Yeovilton, with some landing on the grass. We see it at Waddington now with them nearly hitting the hedge. It's only a matter of time before there is a serious incident and i'm not talking about those being underneath (that's obvious) but the plane/pilot and the ground.

There is simply no need to land at that point on the runway. Numerous videos (and we've witnessed ourselves) showing the rear gear touching down only feet from the grass.

[Mikedee]

Shades of a recent "Triple Seven" approach

[Zeb]

In the words of the old TV show OTT, "This is what they wanna see!" Excellent! (Was it Jamie?)

[Mike]

I wouldn't criticise the pilot at all, it's all those numpties that think the best place to view from is directly underneath the approach - can someone tell me what planet these complete idiots are from ?

[reheat module]

Two points worthy of consideration here
1 The PAPI angle is often different for large aircraft to FJ, (3 deg to 2.5 deg) if memory serves; hence a shallower, faster approach is more noticeable for FJ,especially in the final stages prior to touchdown when viewed from the side.
2 The A15 is visible (similar to the Coningsby road) immediately outside the perimeter fence. Despite having the traffic control system in operation, all it takes is one high-sided vehicle to cross on red (and YES, I've seen it happen) and there is potential for a nasty coming together if a 'go around' cannot be initiated in time.

In the past, I have (admittedly) stood under the approach for both 'the rush' and to try to get the shot that's a bit different. This vid highlights what I needed to reinforce my awareness of. Is it worth the risk?

[RichC]

As said in my original post, the risks to the people are obvious but if the typhoon did "sink" just before going over the threshold then that is surely pilot error. From the video, it was clearly too low. We've all seen the other videos of the Transall, photos of the Typhoon and Rafale at Yeovilton in 2009 and others.
What is the reason why so many military aircraft are touching down so close to the runway threshold end which is clearly making them fly so low over the fence?
It cannot be "normal" to do this or in practice to do this at any airfield especially with a main road (traffic lights or not) and so on around the perimeter.

I may be incorrect here and i'm sure others will know better....
The PAPI is sited to give minimum clearance over obstacles at threshold crossing. If that jet was correctly lined up on PAPI there must be something wrong as going by the previous picture on the video, it clearly shows the "normal approach" which is a lot higher. If that is the case, the pilot is definitely in the wrong and is an error in pilot judgement either by not correctly lining up the PAPI or by ill-judged power position which led to the sinking, in which case could lead to a stall.

[POL]

If you consider that low, you've clearly never seen the French Mirage approaches at Waddington!

Also, to note that the PAPI is the Precision Approach Path Indicator - a visual approach isn't a precision approach, so they don't have to continue two red/two white all the way on to the deck. It is designed to allow pilots to see that they are on the glidepath during a precision approach, and that they will land before the end of the touchdown zone (TDZ).

[RichC]

French being lower is not the point, that Typhoon was clearly not on a "normal" approach over the threshold! How can it be defended? Not the point of how cool it looks.
The French are obviously incapable of making a proper approach given the fact in 2009 the French Rafale hit the darn grass on touch down and bounced back up onto the runway. Was that a normal approach? Obviously darn not! Irrelevant being at Waddington or Coningsby or Yeovilton or anywhere for that matter. To make things worse, numpties were stood underneath it.

[Mike]

I spent an afternoon at Volkel on 07/08/78 and every single F-104 was actually lower than that, some had to climb to avoid the cows - I am not kidding, it was mental !

And that lovely noise when there's five in the circuit.................mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.................

[POL]

I spent an afternoon at Volkel on 07/08/78 and every single F-104 was actually lower than that, some had to climb to avoid the cows - I am not kidding, it was mental !

What, no YouTube video of it Mike?!

[sherriff]

Guys....please......everybody walked away = good landing.

[Mike]

I spent an afternoon at Volkel on 07/08/78 and every single F-104 was actually lower than that, some had to climb to avoid the cows - I am not kidding, it was mental !

What, no YouTube video of it Mike?!

Have you ever seen a Dutch Starfighter flying Chris ?

No, thought not.

[POL]

Have you ever seen a Dutch Starfighter flying Chris ?

Nope, that's why I want to see a video!

[steve149c]

My interpretation of this, as seen at Valley ocassionally is that is was a flapless landing, ie they come in faster and flatter. The nose doesn't appear to be that high, and if the pilot had thought there were problems he would have applied more pow, but the power remains constant.

Would love to hear a pilots view on this though

[Steven]

Would love to hear a pilots view on this though

Someone call Cheesy!

[Mike]

Would love to hear a pilots view on this though

Someone call Cheesy!

I don't think Cheesy has ever landed a Dutch Starfighter, would love to hear his thoughts though.

[DaveChapman]

I was the guy in the white shirt to the left of the runway,I stopped when I saw his approach as it looked very low,he was only a few feet at best from clatting the hedge and there was an older couple who were sat in their chairs directly below who ended up on the floor.
I chatted with "Stealth117"nearby who is on FC and shortly after,military personel came out to check the fence etc so it didnt go unoticed(Martin has a great pic of it btw)also I think Flyingslug has a shot of it from the P&V and its hard to tell wether it did actually hit the tarmac or grass,a close call all round.
As for the reasons behind it who knows but he was very low all the way through on finals so perhaps it was a calculated event,either way imo it was a bit of a stupid thing to do and absolutely no need for it given the risk to all
Cheers Dave.

[romeo bravo]

Remember a Mirage taking the fence as well at Waddington; now that was low........

You will never stop it whilst people want to get 'that' photo or be close to the action. Remember the idiots at Cottesmore and the B1

[buzzer]

Stop it at 12 secounds.... **** thats low!!!
Think i would have run to!!

[Fighterfoto]

Maybe sensible enthusiasts should explain to those who sit in such stupid places the error of their ways?