Airborne Express DC-9 on tail at PDX due to ice!!
Jan 9, 2004, 11:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Portland, OR
Programs: NW Plat (now they call it DL Diamond) 1MM, soon to be DL Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Dusit Gold
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Airborne Express DC-9 on tail at PDX due to ice!!
KGW-TV is broadcasting video of an Airborne Express DC-9 balancing on its tail at PDX. Probably also available on NWNC. The websites for these news organizations are kgw.com and nwnc.com.
The airplane tipped backwards when the ice feel of the forward part of the plane and not off the back. The last tail-dragger that Douglas built was the DC-3. Guess that there is a reason that the AS cancelled all flights today. Imagine boarding an MD-80 from rear to front and it tips as the balance point shifts.
The airplane tipped backwards when the ice feel of the forward part of the plane and not off the back. The last tail-dragger that Douglas built was the DC-3. Guess that there is a reason that the AS cancelled all flights today. Imagine boarding an MD-80 from rear to front and it tips as the balance point shifts.
Jan 9, 2004, 12:38 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,476
This is by no means as uncommon as you would believe for rear-engined aircraft. The Russian Ilyushin IL-62 was a real classic for doing this, and was later fitted with a special prop that could be extended under the tail when stationary on the ground (and which gave its own problems that it would become jammed when ready to depart!).
I've heard of it happening due to unbalanced fuelling or loading, or at a special ground occasion when all those on board congregated at a bar at the back. Ice must have been pretty thick to unbalance it, though!
I've heard of it happening due to unbalanced fuelling or loading, or at a special ground occasion when all those on board congregated at a bar at the back. Ice must have been pretty thick to unbalance it, though!
Jan 9, 2004, 4:05 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: FCA
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Posts: 925
Link to story and photo at KGW's website
Link to video at KGW's website
[This message has been edited by Mehdron (edited Jan 09, 2004).]
Link to video at KGW's website
[This message has been edited by Mehdron (edited Jan 09, 2004).]