I can understand burning most of the fuel in the tank without the wheel underneath to reduce extra weight on that side, but it would seem to be that 4 - 5 hours is a long time in a PA28 (especially in the +40 C heats mentioned), it must be quite tormenting knowing yorur wheels missing.
Having one tank full and one empty produces a very different aircraft in a PA28. You have to use a lot of aileron to keep the wings level, which really feels unnatural and uncomfortable.
If I was trying to pull of the smoothest landing of my life, I won't want to be doing it with a PA28 with one full tank and one empty one, as I'd already be operating in unfamiliar terrority.
I'd prefer to spend the time to getting the tanks a bit more even.
I also think taking the time would be good for other reasons. Thinking time in an emergency is always good. In this case there was urgency for them to get on the ground, so they could take all the time that they needed to consider their options.
It also allows those on the ground to work on their behalf and check the internet for previous such incidents and how they were handled and their outcome. For example some here seemed to think that landing on grass would be the best idea, but if those on the ground had some time to do a bit of research they could be able to advise them differently based on historical information.
Time is useful in an emergency. I'd never squander it unless there is another pressure that requires you to be on the ground quickly.
I think if you are going to be scraping something on the ground, being as light as possible is a good idea as well as reducing fire risk. I think 20mins is a long time in a PA-28!
I read he circled (not literally I dont suppose) for 4 hours or so to burn off fuel. Do you think that was just to help prevent a fire upon landing, or do you think there were other reasons?
I can understand burning most of the fuel in the tank without the wheel underneath to reduce extra weight on that side, but it would seem to be that 4 - 5 hours is a long time in a PA28 (especially in the +40 C heats mentioned), it must be quite tormenting knowing yorur wheels missing. I think I'd rather take my chances and come down as soon as possible.
He did remember to open the door though.
although I notice the landing light on....so FISH check not completed... AQ
Obviously a great result but I am not sure he did anything that astounding. He held the strut off for a while (I thought it could prob have been held off longer TBH), and didn't roll but it seemed quite a straightforward landing TBH. I would certainly have killed the engine on short final and tried to slow the aircraft more before the touchdown in ground effect. He did remember to open the door though.
It happened to a PA28 that used to belong to the club I'm in now, before I joined.
ATC reported to the pilot that something fell off on take off, and a fly by confirmed that it was the wheel.
I believe that there was a SB issued following that incident.
Wonder how he knew a wheel had fallen off? Must have been alerted by someone. I guess it happened on t/o if the commentary 'burned off fuel for 4 hours' is to be believed. 4 hours is about the max you get out of a standard PA28.
The problem with trying to be too clever is that you only have to touch the prop on the ground (hard or soft) and it's a mandatory shock load inspection.
And if I was a renter (as he prob99 was) and one of the wheels just fell off (wheels aren't supposed to just fall off) the absolutely last thing I would care for is preserving the plane, because I would simply assume that the last engineer working on it was one of these
and one deserves a bit better for the £200/hr or so.
Presumably they wanted to keep power so that they could keep the touch down as smooth as possible.
Having said that there was probably scope for pulling the mixture once the one main wheel touched down. I doubt that there would have been time or reason to try and centre the prob with the starter motor. That would be too much of a distraction.
I did consider if it would be prudent to shut down the engine, and turn the prop by key until it was horizontal before making a glide approach, this would have ensured the engine was safe...
But I came to the conclusion that I think I would only have done that if it was the nose wheel that had fallen off, as that would make prop strike a certainty and risk of flip over. With it being the main wheel, then with no engine there would be no chance of go-around and you would be committed.
