Sea Vixen wheels up landing

[jasT1981]

Been discussed a little in the Portrush thread, but didn't want to clutter it up.

The Sea Vixen had a wheels up landing at RNAS Yeovilton after displaying at Duxford. No word on how bad the damage is yet. But it could be a while before she is flying again. Pilot walked away from the incident unhurt.  (photo from FB)

[Merlin]

I wonder why they didn't attempt a grass landing? 

Just going by the pic:
- Looks like the drop-tanks took the brunt of the initial landing so they're probably toast.
- Possible damage to the rear underside and the booms.
- If the drop tanks were able to keep the main body off the ground during landing then they might get away with minimal damage.
- If they didn't then possible major damage all along the underside. Her season may be over already.

And that doesn't include the issue with the landing gear which caused the problem in the first place.

Only two shows in to the new season and two aircraft accidents already 

[jasT1981]

A few have said no grass landing as higher risk of aircraft flipping? Not too sure myself. But not a great start, you are right.

[Angry Turnip]

That`s awful news-I would think that would keep the aircraft out of commission for quite some time,shortage of spares is likely to be an issue for one thing,let alone the cost.

[jasT1981]

The Sea Vixen has had a horrible run lately. Missed a lot of last year due to issues, and has gone tech quite a few times for periods of time. A few calling for it to be abandoned as a flying project tonight on other forums due to the amount of issues she has had.

[Angry Turnip]

That seems very unfair and also hasty-it`s a complex aircraft,it`s a charity run operation with realistic targets,not like the VTTS.

https://www.navywings.org.uk/about-us/fly-navy-heritage-trust/

[Sneaky_Nikon]

That allegedly played a part in the decision by VTTS to restore a B2/6 Canberra rather than purchase an available and virtually fly-away PR9. The PR9 ticks sufficient boxes to be a "complex aircraft" the B2 does not.

Anyway... The coup that I was hoping one of local show runners was going to pull isn't likely to happen now.

[breney]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5qEhY3XD6Q&feature=youtu.be

[jasT1981]

The pilot did very well watching that video.

I wonder if this will affect their latest project, they have said at a members meeting recently they intend to restore to flight 2 Harriers.

[Angry Turnip]

it`s a complex aircraft

Don't let the CAA hear that c-word, they seem to be moving towards banning anything post-Vampire as 'too complex'.

At the rate airshow regulation in the UK is going I think I'll need to find a new appreciation for WW1 aircraft.  Though rotary engines probably irk the CAA, too...

Indeed,the CAA really seem to hate ex-mil jets in private hands.

[jasT1981]

Apparently this is the last surviving Sea Vixen, according to the experts at the Sun. It's also apparently an RAF Aircraft according to their FB post

 https://www.facebook.com/thesun/posts/1973532629339833?comment_id=1973540166005746&notif_t=like&notif_id=1496013988365906

THIS was the dramatic moment the last remaining model of an iconic Royal Navy jet burst into flames as it crash-landed at an airfield.

Dramatic images caught the moment the world’s last remaining Sea Vixen crash landed at an airshow

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3669647/sea-vixen-plane-emergency-landing-somerset-air-show-pilot-escapes/?CMP=Spklr-_-Editorial-_-TheSun-_-News-_-FBLink-_-Reply-_-FBPAGE

[Angry Turnip]

Well it is/was the last flying Sea Vixen that much they got correct-just hope they can repair it,but I doubt it will be for a few years.
I`m not going to have a wish list for airshows this year in case I scuppered them.

[jasT1981]

Well, this sounds grim. 3-4 year restoration process and £2-3m needed urgently.

Following the emergency landing of Sea Vixen G-CVIX XP924 at RNAS Yeovilton on 27 May 17, Navy Wings is urgently seeking a ‘white knight’ sponsor to save the aircraft and restore this unique and nationally important naval heritage fighter to full flying condition.

Unfortunately the structural damage to the airframe is more serious than first thought. This includes cracks on both tail booms, warping of the main bulk heads in the engine compartment and major damage to the gear box. The important factor here was speed of landing. The Sea Vixen suffered a major hydraulic failure of both systems and the pilot, Commander Simon Hargreaves was unable to lower the flaps along with the under-carriage. This necessitated a high speed, low angle run on and the energy transferred itself through the airframe.

Work by Assessors estimate that it could take between 3-4 years and cost £2-3M to get her flying again. A white knight is needed in the next month who would be prepared to come to the rescue and under-write these costs and save the last flying Sea Vixen in the world, recognising her uniqueness and value to the Nation’s naval aviation heritage. navywings.org.uk

[Angry Turnip]

Perhaps a static display airframe or two could yeld some of the parts they need,but it doesn`t sound good at all. A 3-4 year restoration is what I would have expected,but it will likely be longer than that,if it can be done at all.

[Sneaky_Nikon]

Update today and I don't think the tone is particularly positive.

https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/sea-vixen-update-25th-july-2017/