Small Plane down at Tuscon

[danhagan]

Were you landing on 13? The big hwy and hill on short final (hence the displaced threshold) don't exactly help the vertical approach stability. Had a LLWS encounter there myself.

Was landing 31. I've had windy approaches to 13 as well, but they weren't that bad compared to here in west Texas or that wind shear there on 31 at KEDC. I don't mind super windy landings ... I do hate wind shear or HUGE changes in gust factor on high wind days.

My worst encounter was my home field at night on a "supposed calm wind night" by FSS preflight briefer, and it was until I was returning from the Class C to my home field. Winds kicked up to 29G35 direct crosswind (which I've done daytime, but not at night). Flew an approach figuring a go-around and at 100 AGL, the plane violently descends to about 5 feet in about a second, I bugged out and re-clicked the super AWOS and got," Updated weather, winds now 37G51". Flew to Las Cruces and landed in calm wind and waited it out.

 

[3393RP]

Yes but it actually was west in the Carrollton area. Capt a good friend with a pretty wife and 2 sweet little boys. He saved a lot of lives by getting it in a field. He was knocked out from impact and hopefully died before the plane was engulfed in flames. I think around 30-50% of the passengers got out, including the FA. FO got burned badly but eventually returned to the line. FA never could make it back, she and the Co tried. She saved some lives by not panicking.

The pilot made it possible for 21 of the 29 on board to survive.

The aircraft was almost uncontrollable and it became clear an airport landing wasn't going to happen. Actions by the crew members illustrated that training, personal resolve, and character can turn a hopeless situation into a victory.

The pilot's selfless actions are what we all want to believe we can accomplish.

As you said, the FA was also a key player. She spoke to every passenger individually to confirm they understood the brace procedure. and strapped into her seat just seconds before the impact.