TM 55-1510-215-10
Adjusting to full nose down elevator trim at this point will
toward the flat tire side. Directional control can be
aerodynamically
increase
up
elevator
control
maintained with wheel braking and reverse thrust. If
effectiveness, thus, allowing a much lower nose
aware that a main gear tire is flat, a landing close to the
touchdown speed. Use the following procedure as
edge of the runway opposite the flat tire will help avoid
applicable:
veering off the runway. If the nose wheel tire is flat,
nose wheel stability will be reduced and application of
1. Crew/passenger emergency briefing
brakes should be used only as required to maintain
- Complete.
positive control. Use the following procedures:
2. Loose equipment - Stow.
1. Land on side of runway favoring
good tire.
3. Seat belts and harnesses - Secured.
2. Brake - On good wheel only.
4. Non-essential electrical equipment -
OFF.
3. Flat nose tire - Use light braking.
5. Condition levers - FUEL CUTOFF
9-14. Ditching.
(on ground when able).
a. General. The following ditching procedures are
6. Master switch - Down.
based on the experiences of pilots who have
successfully ditched other multiengine aircraft. The
e. Landing With One Main Gear Up or Unlocked. If
success of those ditchings were the result of all
one main landing gear fails to extend and the opposite
crewmembers carrying out the correct ditching
gear extends normally, a break in the drive mechanism
procedures. Ditching commenced from low altitudes
to the unextended gear has occurred. If all efforts to
does not always allow time for more than minimum
retract the extended gear fail, land the aircraft on a
preparation and planning and may not permit relying on
runway or on firm, hard surface in preference to loose
the checklist.
Therefore it is essential that each
dirt or grass. Touchdown smoothly, well over to the
crewmember be thoroughly familiar with ditching
same side of the runway as the extended gear to allow
procedures and assigned responsibilities. Further, the
room for loss of directional control. Holding the opposite
pilot in command must insure that all passengers have
wing high and nose straight, lightly apply brake to the
been briefed on ditching procedures and understand
unsafe gear. This jar may result in locking the unsafe
how to use installed survival equipment. If at all possible
gear. If not, allow the opposite wing to lower slowly.
ditching should be made while power is still available on
Evacuate the aircraft as soon as possible. Use the
both engines. However, if one engine has failed, the
following procedures as applicable:
ditching should be accomplished in as near symmetrical
condition as possible. An engine and/or wing fire is
1. Crew/passenger emergency briefing
probably the most serious condition from the standpoint
- Complete.
of structural integrity and lateral control.
A fire
concentrated within the wing or nacelle will be sustained
2. Loose equipment - Stow.
by fuel or oil and will destroy effective use of flaps and
ailerons in a very short time. With such a fire, except in
3. Seat belts and harnesses - Secured.
extremely high wind conditions the aircraft should be
ditched parallel to the primary swell system. Model test
4. Non-essential electrical equipment -
and actual ditchings of various aircraft indicate that
OFF.
ditchings into the wall of water created by the major
swell is roughly analogous to flying into a mountain.
5. Condition levers - FUEL CUTOFF
Accordingly, a careful evaluation of sea condition is
(on ground when able).
essential to successful ditching. While descending,
begin analyzing the sea condition as soon as the surface
6. Master switch - Down.
can be seen clearly (2000 feet or more if possible). The
primary swell can readily be distinguished from high
f. Landing With Nose Gear Don, Main Gear Up or
altitude and will be seen first. At low altitude it may be
Unlocked.
Complete the same approach and
hidden beneath another system plus a surface chop, but
procedures as used for GEAR-UP LANDING.
from altitude the largest and most dangerous system will
be the first one recognized.
g. Landing With Flat Tire. When landing is made
with a flat tire on one main gear. the aircraft may turn
9-17
