Gimli Glider: Boeing 767 crash landing

Developing the theme successful crash landings passenger aircraft, we must not forget about the jewelry work of the Boeing 767 pilots. On 23 of July 1983 of the year, an event occurred that the media dubbed the Gimli Glider.

An Air Canada passenger aircraft, tail number 604, was on a scheduled flight Montreal-Ottawa-Edmonton. Before takeoff, technicians checked the equipment and refueled the plane. Just overlooked one small detail. In 1983, Canada decided to switch to the metric system. Changing the calculation in gallons for liters. Due to incorrect calculations of ground engineers, instead of 20 thousand liters, the tanks were filled only to 5 liters. It was this mistake that could be fatal for the 000 people on board.

Gimli glider: emergency landing

When flying at an altitude of 8500 meters, the engines turned off. The reason for the pilots to establish quickly, still working on-board equipment. It is noteworthy that in the Boeing 767, most devices are powered by a running engine. Therefore, part of the equipment immediately failed. The 132-ton plane turned into a huge metal carriage, which simply moved by inertia.

Планёр Гимли (Gimli Glider): аварийная посадка Боинг-767

The ship's commander, Robert Pearson, and co-pilot Maurice Quintal, decided on an emergency landing in Winnipeg. However, in the process of negotiations with the land, the ship's commander realized that the plane could not reach the planned landing strip. In addition, in the manufacturer’s instructions, the Boeing pilots were unable to find an algorithm for controlling the aircraft with the engines turned off.

Планёр Гимли (Gimli Glider): аварийная посадка Боинг-767

The decision appeared by chance, the co-pilot recalled that not far away there is an abandoned Gimli military base on which he served. The lane was in perfect condition, as it was used by a local auto club for competitions. A race track is an ideal place to board a passenger airliner.

Passengers of the plane were very lucky that the commander of the vessel was engaged in gliding in his youth. Although not on such a steel bird, he had excellent skills in calculating height and speed. Only the speedometer worked on the plane, the height was determined by eye. After making approximate calculations, the pilots calculated the rate of decline. It only remained to slow down and carefully sit on the strip.

Master class from pilots

Passengers did not know anything until the moment the plane released the landing gear. Air transport shook, and panic began in the cabin. To quickly slow down, Bob Pearson decided on the gliding technique on the wing. This is when the plane lands on one side, performing a quick turn. Such a trick allows passengers to watch the earth through the porthole.

Having slowed down, almost before the ground, the plane leveled off sharply and after a second touched the landing gear of all the landing gear. At a speed of 320 kilometers per hour, an iron bird screeched due to braking of the wheels and made an emergency landing.

Планёр Гимли (Gimli Glider): аварийная посадка Боинг-767

All 69 people on board (8 crew members and 61 passengers) survived. Only 10 people received minor injuries. And then, because of the hasty landing through the rear emergency exit. The tail of the plane was badly lifted, and the length of the emergency ladder was not enough to fully touch the ground. The Boeing was repaired in 2 of the day, and he left Gimli base on his own. A full repair cost 1 a million dollars. After which the aircraft continued to operate flights and served the carrier company until January 2008.

A Miracle on the Horizon: Gimli Glider

On the field of the former air base, the party was in full swing. People enjoyed life: beer, meat, family vacations. No one expected the 132-ton steel car to fall on his head. And okay, if the plane set off the usual course with a smooth decline. Gimli glider appeared unexpectedly in a strange position. The wingspan was perpendicular to the ground, and the nose of the aircraft looked almost down.

Планёр Гимли (Gimli Glider): аварийная посадка Боинг-767

A moment later, the Boeing returned to the desired position and at high speed touched the edge of the landing strip. Due to braking, the plane's tire tires burst, a column of smoke and sparks appeared. Nobody expected such special effects, and a frightened audience quickly released the landing strip. The plane stopped at 30 meters from the people caused a violent reaction from the rest, who applauded the pilots while standing.

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