Sea Vixen, G-CVIX

Hi All,
Ditto what Duggy has said, the prospect of seeing two Swordfish in the air together is quite a good step also but the general state of things at
Navy Wings is looking good for all concerned…..:applause:

Geoff.

What fantastic news :eagerness:

Latest update from Navy Wings:
https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/summer-oily-rag/

Well, I’ve landed several Cessnas several times, but I also landed a Bölkow Bo 209 successfully on my third solo with a major engine issue, so maybe that’s why I think differently :stupid:

If the Sea Fury crash-landing is anything to go by, if the Vixen’s pilot does get a gong someone will pop up here and tell us all how he shouldn’t, and how they know all this because they once landed a Cessna…

Adrian

Indeed, well done to the pilot, what a display of airmanship and coolness!

The report mentions that the flying controls are also hydraulically powered, and that he was justifiably concerned about loosing that part of the system as well. Yet, in the face of this additional concern, and faced with a wheels-up landing at a higher than normal approach speed, he still had the wit to “…shut the left engine down at two feet above ground level and shut the right engine down at touchdown”!

And then there’s this: “After the aircraft had stopped the pilot made the aircraft safe, satisfied himself there was no imminent danger and replaced the ejection seat safety pins.” I think I would have jumped out, started running and would not have stopped until I’d reached the next parish…

Incredible, this fella deserves a medal of some sort. I’d fly with him in anything, anytime, anywhere!

Secondly, I’m impressed with the amount of attention that the AAIB devotes to this incident. The last airworthy example of a very rare and exotic aircraft, which in all likelihood will never fly again, and in addition to the incredible amount of detail they’ve go into already, they are still investigating the source of the hydraulic contamination. When I think about the amount of fumes incidents in airliners and engine stoppages in light aircraft which the German equivalent (the BfU) is not investigating, apparently being short of manpower to do so….! Give these guys a medal too!

🙁 Such a shame but well done to the pilot.

“Summary:
The aircraft had returned to Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton after completing an air show display at the Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford. The pilot had slowed the aircraft and was configuring it for landing but despite several attempts, using the normal (Green) and standby (Red) hydraulic systems, the landing gear failed to unlock and lower. After consultation between the pilot, air traffic control (ATC) and the operator’s Chief Engineer, the decision was taken to do a wheels-up landing. This was carried out; the pilot landed the aircraft and came to a stop on the runway without further incident. The pilot made the aircraft safe and vacated the cockpit unaided.

The landing gear failed to lower because of a mechanical break-up within both the normal and standby hydraulic systems pumps. The break-up was caused by seizure of the pistons within the hydraulic pumps, probably due to the presence of a contaminant. Forensic work is continuing to identify the contaminant and its source.”

See here:
https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation-to-dh110-sea-vixen-faw-mk-2-g-cvix

The AAIB report is out.

I hope that the aircraft still have a secure home at Yeovilton ?

Last update I read was this one from their website in December:
https://www.navywings.org.uk/news-blog/navy-wings-2017-summary-ceo-jock-alexander/

Mark

As far as I’m aware;
They have found the cause of the accident.Details of which can be found online.
It can be repaired – if a “white knight” can be found to help stump up the £2 – £3m needed for repairs.
The Vixen was last seen at the Fly Navy photo shoot towards the end of last year, and there are definitely no plans to scrap it.

Hope that helps!

Rob