Imagine for a moment that you find yourself in a malfunctioning flying plane in an unfamiliar area with minimal chances of survival. It would seem that the situation is hopeless, and it remains only, sweating sweat, to squeeze into the back of the chair.
In fact, such situations often occur with aircraft, and then the most daring and talented pilots have to use skills and craftsmanship, as well as physical strength, to successfully land in the current area without human casualties.
Today we will consider the TOP 10 incredible aircraft landings that have been made by brave pilots over the history of flights.
10. The race with death (1988)
Exactly December 31, on New Year's Eve, the pilot with the Tu-134 crew was in a great hurry to celebrate the holiday, so he began to approach the ground along a steep glide path, despite the warning devices about speeding. Despising the instructions, the pilots released the landing gear at a top speed of 460 km / h, and the flaps, on the contrary, did not touch. It is known that at the time of landing the speed of the aircraft was 425 km with a permissible 330 (a new record was set). The runway length was not enough for the ship, so he proceeded on, contrary to the crew’s desire to slow down. The liner stopped just a meter and a half from the descent to the ground. People were not injured, but dashing pilots fully answered the law for violating instructions.
9. Flying over the volcano (1982)
In an unfortunate flight, the liner’s engines began to glow, and a haze of the suffocating smell of sulfur flowed inside the cabin. On that day, the Boeing 747 had more than 240 passengers, as well as 15 crew members, but no one found that the plane was flying directly above the mouth of a volcano surrounded by hot ash. The Indonesian Galunggung decided to suddenly throw abrasive particles of ash into the air, which immediately damaged the liner skin and fell into the propulsion system. A huge ship with the engines turned off was planning over the water in the dark, and the mountains of the coast of Java towered along the course. Pilots had to quickly choose whether to land a liner in the ocean or with a high risk of reaching the airport through the tops of the mountains. But the co-pilot and engineer were able to start three engines, which, spitting out pumice, drove passengers to the airfield.
8. Taiga miracle (2010)
Eight years ago, the Tu-154B aircraft made an emergency landing in the Siberian wilderness. After 3.5 hours after take-off, the power suddenly disappeared, which led to the shutdown of on-board devices and fuel pumps - the ability to control the wings was gone. A consumable tank with more than 3 tons of kerosene was stored in the fuselage, but it was consumed in 30 minutes of flight. Pilots lowered the ship by 3 km, checking horizontally with the water level in the glass. The speed at the landing performed was 100 km / h higher than the permissible one, so the pilots planted the liner in a small fir tree, which was 160 meters further than the abandoned concrete strip. Surprisingly, there were no victims. The plane was repaired in the taiga on its own, which allowed him to fly to Samara for a competent inspection.
7. The Hudson Miracle (2009)
Heading to Seattle Airbus A-320 with 150 passengers, after 1.5 minutes of flight, it fell into a flock of birds, which led to disruption of both engines. The liner has almost gained a height of 1 km, so could not go back. The first pilot directed the ship to the Hudson River, known for its direct channel. With difficulty reaching the water surface, he leveled the plane and plopped down into the river, gliding between the ice floes. As a result of the emergency landing, only 6 people were injured, 5 of whom were incorrectly fastened. Passengers are required to save lives by military pilot Sullenberger, who at one time successfully managed the Phantom.
6. Leningrad case (1963)
After taking off, the landing gear retracted only 50% on the plane bound for Moscow. Thus, it was planned to land “on the belly” at the nearest Pulkovo airport. The plane circled over the strip, spending fuel, at an altitude of 0.5 km. The crew at the same time tried to unlock the chassis system with a pole. Suddenly, the left engine failed, and the pilots rushed to the helm, determining the course on the runway. However, another engine froze, which led to the need to accidentally land the aircraft in the Neva. The ill-fated ship, almost catching a tugboat, sank softly enough into the water, so no one was hurt.
5. Sky Convertible (1988)
The old Boeing was heading to Honolulu when an insufficiently closed door led to the destruction of the hull elements. At an altitude of 7.3 km and a speed of 500 km / h, decompression occurred. Unseasonably dressed people (90 passengers) felt a strong flurry of ice (-45ºС) wind. During the decline, 65 of them received frostbite and various injuries. Pilots landed the ship after 12 minutes, deviating from the schedule for a minute. Unfortunately, during the damage to the fuselage, the stewardess was thrown overboard the ill-fated ship.
4. Faulty chassis (2016)
Two years ago, the Foker-100 aircraft landed in Astana without front landing gear, saving the lives of 121 people. The defective chassis mechanism led to the commander landing the liner under conditions when the front pillar only partially looked out of the hatch. After touching the ground, the ship “pecked” the landing strip with its bow, and then a few hundred meters more with a rattle stretched along the concrete terrain. Eyewitnesses observed black smoke and sparks, which appeared as a result of severe friction. Thank God, there was no fire, and even the body escaped with minimal damage.
3. Aircraft without a nose (2017)
Just a year ago, the plane was heading to Ercan, when bad weather (hail and strong wind) demolished the nose part along with the windshield of the cabin at an altitude of 1,500 meters. Pilots lost the opportunity to look ahead, and at the airport they prepared for another tragedy. The Ukrainian pilot decided to take control, slightly tipping the side, which allowed him to observe the runway through the side window. With the help of competent airport controllers, the plane successfully landed, saving the lives of 127 people.
2. Landing without a commander (1990)
The plane was heading to Malaga, and after 13 minutes of flight, a poorly mounted windshield fell out. A flurry of air carried the commander and partially threw him through the hole. The airman was pressed against the fuselage on the other side of the cockpit, and his legs were blocked by the helm and panel. The debris of the door damaged the radio and navigation panel. The flight attendant held the commander so that he would not fly overboard. The co-pilot sent a distress signal and made an emergency descent, managing to land a ship in Southampton. Only the commander was injured (fractures, bruises, frostbite) and a brave flight attendant (shoulder dislocation, frostbite).
1. Amazing landing of an airbus in a storm (2017)
It is no secret that in Dusseldorf, there are often heavy winds. Last year, the Airbus A380 was forced to land in such conditions - to reduce lateral squalls, pilots landed at a selected angle. In the process of leveling, a sharp gust of wind began to swing the ship around. The pilot hardly coped with the swinging machine, aligning it with a wind speed of 22 m s.
With these examples, we are convinced that there are professionals in the world who wholeheartedly support the chosen business and are responsible for the decisions made.