In this special episode of Aviation News Talk, Max discusses a recent fatal crash involving N1089W, a Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, at MacArthur Airport in Long Island. The aircraft lost power shortly after takeoff, leading the pilot to attempt a 180-degree turn back to the runway, a maneuver often referred to as the “impossible turn.” The plane crashed short of Runway 6, resulting in the deaths of both the pilot and passenger.
The aircraft, with both the pilot and a passenger on board, took off at around 6:15 p.m. local time. Shortly after takeoff, the engine began to sputter and pop, as reported by an airport employee who witnessed the event. The plane reached an altitude of approximately 150 feet before the pilot attempted to turn back to the runway. The aircraft crashed just short of Runway 6, with the wreckage indicating a left wing low and nose-low impact. The left wing and main landing gear were significantly damaged, and the engine was found separated from the aircraft.
Max analyzes the situation, noting the difficulty of executing what is often called the “impossible turn”—a 180-degree turn back to the runway after an engine failure on takeoff. He explains that this maneuver is challenging, especially for faster aircraft like the Bonanza, due to their larger turn radius. The episode includes a discussion of the physics involved, noting that a faster aircraft’s turn radius increases with the square of its speed. This makes it significantly harder for such aircraft to return to the runway compared to slower aircraft.
The podcast emphasizes that the “impossible turn” often involves more than just a simple 180-degree turn. Due to the offset from the runway, pilots typically need to execute additional turns, making the total turn angle around 306 degrees. Max cites an aviation organization video that demonstrates the challenges of this turn with different aircraft types, including a Bonanza, which failed to complete the turn in the demonstration.
Max also explores alternative options that might have been available to the pilot. He suggests that had the pilot used the full length of Runway 24 instead of making an intersection departure from Taxiway Bravo, the aircraft might have had a better chance of reaching a different landing surface, such as Taxiway Whiskey or Runway 6. He speculates that the pilot might have chosen the intersection departure for convenience, as the FBOs are closer to this point than the start of Runway 24. This decision, while saving a few minutes, may have limited the pilot’s options in the emergency.
He also notes that pilots’ instincts often drive them to turn back to the runway, which feels like a safe haven. However, this instinctual reaction can be dangerous, as the necessary maneuvers to return to the runway are complex and fraught with risk. Max advises that pilots should instead prepare for potential emergencies by identifying suitable landing spots straight ahead, which can be reached without attempting the risky turn back.
Max shares a list of ten key points from episode 68 on the “impossible turn,” highlighting the dangers and complexities of the maneuver. He advises against practicing the “impossible turn” at low altitudes and stresses the importance of thorough training and preparation for emergencies.
The episode concludes with Max encouraging pilots to always use the full length of the runway if possible, to increase their options in case of an emergency. Max’s overarching message is one of preparedness, caution, and the importance of continuous training for pilots.
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Mentioned on the Show
Aviation-Safety.net: N1089W Bonanza crash information
Episode #68 10 Things to Know about the impossible turn after a Takeoff Engine Failure Emergency
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