Martin Mars damaged during Precautionary landing at OSH

[AirFrame]

Experienced engine trouble during Friday's show, put down on Lake Winnebago as a precautionary measure. They were fully loaded with water for the drop at the show, so were heavy. Struck something submerged, and put a 3" hole in the hull. Had to start bailing with the help of the local fire department to keep it afloat.

FMI: http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=m ... 5313be65ac

[Mick G]

Foolish of the crew not to jettison the load prior to landing. What a way to go out in the Twilight of her career. I highly doubt she will be back next year. Then again, maybe this was secretly planned as a plot to get around the government red tape. Now that one of these is in the US with damage. Perhaps it will be deemed not economical to repair and get transfered to Pensacola. Anybody know how extensive the damage is? Pictures?

[Nark]

There are a lot of house around the lake.
You're suggesting they punch God knows how many gallons of water on Joe Blow's house caving his roof in?

[Glasnost]

Or........ you know...... somewhere in the 137,700 acre lake.

[AirFrame]

It's easy to armchair quarterback after-the-fact. There's nothing in the story to indicate how high they were or how long they had to decide about putting it down.

Anyone know how long it takes to close the "dump" door(s?) after emptying the hold? Or how long it takes to empty the entire load?

[ahramin]

If the two pilots sitting in the front seats decided not to dump the water before landing, that's a good clue that not dumping the water was a good decision.

[old_man]

It's easy to armchair quarterback after-the-fact. There's nothing in the story to indicate how high they were or how long they had to decide about putting it down.

Indeed. Nothing in the article states they landed with a full load either. Only that the problem occurred after they took on a load of water. Unless I am missing something.

[sportingrifle]

Wow. I am amazed at posters that assume there are the equivalent of a couple of newly minted Seneca grads driving the thing. The 4 guys flying the Mars have a very clear understanding of the implications of landing with a load on, as well as the implications of dumping the load at low altitude over people.

My understanding of what happened is that the engine problem occurred WHILE they were scooping. The couldn't dump the load since they were on the water, and they certainly didn't want to climb out over a populated area with a full load on 3. The did the only thing they could safely do and aborted the takeoff. Lake Winnebago is shallow in places for the Mars and since she had a load on , she sat lower in the water than usual and touched some submerged rocks. The 3" square hole in the hull has been repaired and hopefully the engine will be repaired soon. Great job by the crew.

[FlySigi]

There is something wrong with the story.

I was in Oshkosh on Friday, the Mars did a pass over the runway turned around did another pass and dumped the load over the runway, the same as they did on the Monday and Wednesday show.

I don't know what they are talking about when they say "historic airplane's flight Friday night". There was no night show on Friday.