Could this really happen? Loss of Vertical stab and rudder

[BaDkaRmA158Th]

Multiple engine aircraft will almost always have a easy-er landing with this kind of damage.
Get it in a single engine plane, the yaw cant be controlled,and you eat dirt.


I wounder how a fighter like a f-18 would fly with no tail's, if the two center engines are to close together to realy aid in keeping the plane headed in one direction.


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[DPQ5]

well this is kinda like that
I seen somethin about a f15 pilot who was in a colishion with another plane or somethin, comepletely tore off his left wing, he dident notice until he landed
some people said that the f15 shape had arodynamics of a rocket

[Cthulhu]

well this is kinda like that
I seen somethin about a f15 pilot who was in a colishion with another plane or somethin, comepletely tore off his left wing, he dident notice until he landed
some people said that the f15 shape had arodynamics of a rocket

I believe it was an IAF F-15 you're talking about and it's the HUGE stabilator that let the pilot pull this off. Most modern fighters have relatively massive horizontal control surfaces for generating large pitching moments at low speed. All that area makes for plenty of lift, especially for a plane that already has low wing loading.

[Serenity]

well this is kinda like that
I seen somethin about a f15 pilot who was in a colishion with another plane or somethin, comepletely tore off his left wing, he dident notice until he landed
some people said that the f15 shape had arodynamics of a rocket

"In thrust we trust" I think. As Cthulu said, that large area is a major help, but also, these planes really dont need wings nowadays in the way they used to. At low speeds, those stabilators came into play, but as long as your flying fast, I would think the power of the engines alone would keep you flying.

[Cthulhu]

"In thrust we trust" I think. As Cthulu said, that large area is a major help, but also, these planes really dont need wings nowadays in the way they used to. At low speeds, those stabilators came into play, but as long as your flying fast, I would think the power of the engines alone would keep you flying.

Something has to generate lift. Conventional, non-vectored engines don't do it. They just serve to shove the vehicle thru the air with sufficient velocity for the vehicle to generate lift. The more thrust, the less "lifting area" needed. Notice I said lifting area, not wing area. We (Lockheed) make missiles with no wings at all that are capable of very high-G maneuvers. The body of the missile generates all the lift needed. And trust me, what's essentially a pipe ain't exactly aerodynamically efficient from a lift standpoint. But it doesn't matter because we're going so freakin' fast. (would you believe over 3000 mph @ SL?

So, in essence you're right about the thrust Serenity, but that doesn't tell the full story of why that F-15 was able to fly and land. Remember that when he lost a wing (and I've seen the pictures, he lost the whole wing), the pilot was left with tremendous asymmetric lift. The remaining wing gave him plenty of lift, but the lift vector just happened to be nowhere near the CG of the airplane. This meant that, barring any other forces acting on the plane, the plane would want to roll like a muther. This is where those big stabilators come into play. Working opposite each other, they can generate enough rolling moment to counteract the asymmetric lift (I doubt the remaining aileron could do it), and still generate enough lift or down force to give the pilot pitch control.

[DustyR]

 At one point during the flight, a man by the name of Dennis Fitch offered his assistance to the flight crew. It just so happens that he was a DC-10 instructor and pilot who was deadheading as a passenger on the plane. He was able to offer much assistance in working the throttles to maintain control of the aircraft.

The CVR transcript from the flight is a must-read, and really completes the story. Some of my favorite excerpts follow:

 
[When Capt. Fitch enters the cockpit]
Captain Haynes:  My name's Al Haynes.
Captain Fitch:   Hi, Al.  Denny Fitch.
Captain Haynes:  How do you do, Denny?
Captain Fitch:   I'll tell you what.  We'll have a beer when this is
                 all done.
Captain Haynes:  Well, I don't drink, but I'll sure as hell have
                 one.  Little right turns, little right turns.
[Approaching for the crash landing]
Sioux City Approach:  United two thirty-two heavy, the wind's
                      currently at three six zero at one one three
                      sixty at eleven.  You're cleared to land on
                      any runway...
Captain Haynes:  [Laughter] Roger. [Laughter] You want to be
                 particular and make it a runway, huh?
Fitch and the crew were able to maneuver the plane just enough to get it to the runway, and actually touch down near the end, and on the center line. Unfortunately, due to the high airspeed and sink rate of the plane, a wing touched the ground and sent the plane into a somersault, breaking up the aircraft. It is believed that just getting the plane on the ground on the runway is what saved the 185 survivors of the crash
<SALUTE>  Captain Hayes & Crew   

[Cthulhu]

I remember hearing about this guy DustyR. IIRC, he was sitting on the floor straddling the console, operating the throttles and (I believe) helping to push on the rudder pedals. I recall reading that there at least three guys actually flying the plane.