Just saw on the news, NZ’s sole example of the Ryan STM ZK-BEM had a force landing today due to a mechanical problem. Landed in a polo field south of Auckland. Appears to be completely undamaged and no injuries reported, but requires a heavy-lift chopper to remove it.
Good to see it still in one-piece 🙂
(image courtesy of http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com)
TNZ
By: PACAIRDH - 29th August 2004 at 22:03
She surely can operate from grass 🙂
Off the turf, as well as safely Onto it
However, Kaipara Flats is a prepared surface
not full of hoof divots, and no mechanical probs then!
(K.F. – NZ 5/3/04 )
By: Moggy C - 29th August 2004 at 17:24
Why? Clevedon’s polo field isn’t that small, it hosts international tounraments. I doubt that the STM needs that much ground to take off, and I would surmise it is capable of operating from grass?
Always bear in mind that a low power light aircraft generally requires more distance to take off than to land.
Moggy
By: turbo_NZ - 29th August 2004 at 11:51
hmmm,….dunno if I trust a chopper, with the rarity and value of the STM…
If you owned the aircraft would you ???
TNZ
By: Dave Homewood - 29th August 2004 at 11:06
Yes, the 8pm radio report did state it was an engine problem. Clevedon is just down the road from Ardmore so it’ll be a short flight by chopper. I hope they tie it on good and tight. Might be safer to push it home. 🙂
By: turbo_NZ - 29th August 2004 at 09:05
I caught that on the radio news – it needs choppering out? Why? Clevedon’s polo field isn’t that small, it hosts international tounraments. I doubt that the STM needs that much ground to take off, and I would surmise it is capable of operating from grass? I guess it may be because of tree belts though.
Glad it is still in one piece after its chequered career.
Me too !!!
beautiful aircraft !!
Perhaps it’s had an engine malfunction causing the forced landing and can’t take off again ?
Cheers
Chris
By: Dave Homewood - 29th August 2004 at 08:38
I caught that on the radio news – it needs choppering out? Why? Clevedon’s polo field isn’t that small, it hosts international tounraments. I doubt that the STM needs that much ground to take off, and I would surmise it is capable of operating from grass? I guess it may be because of tree belts though.
Glad it is still in one piece after its chequered career.
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August 29, 2004 at 7:16 am