• Aviation

  • Slurry bomber N1386C crashed on landing today

The P2-V-5 slurry bomber owned by Neptune Aviation, registration number N1386C (tail marking 44), crashed today on landing at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC), about 12 pm, on return from a slurry drop run for a wild fire in Rocky Mountain National Park.

My understanding is that they radioed in they had a hydraulic failure (per local law enforcement I talked to). The plane ran off the airport property on the north side of the airport at the slurry loading pad, through a chain link fence, and slid across 120th avenue.

Pilot and copilot were reported to be ok, the plane had a small engine fire which was quickly controlled on the left engine.

Crash location approximately lat/long 39.914, -105.1215

http://cbs4denver.com/news/air.tanker.crash.2.1774547.html

I was curious does this air frame have the ability to reverse pitch on the props for braking if the hydraulics fail? (or even when hydraulics are working)

Larry

I was an enlisted aircrew on Navy Lockheed Neptune P2V-5Fs in the 1950s and yes, the Wright Cyclone R-3350s have reversible-pitch props. I wasn't an AD Plane Captain, but was an E-6 ATR (Radar) so would defer answer to the aircraft mechanics re effect of any hydraulic failure. (There are a lot of different hydraulic systems on that aircraft).

I recall one night flight where in landing roll out the Aircraft Commander couldn't get one prop to return to normal pitch and as a result the plane couldn't move forward. The Aircraft Commander sent the AD Plane Captain down the ladder to determine which prop was still in reverse pitch so that engine could be shut down and we could then taxi. He found which one wasn't blowing thrust aft and then that engine was shut down from the cockpit. In the dark, it was a dangerous situation for the Plane Captain as the belly ladder and hatch is forward of the APS-20 search radar's radome. We then taxied in on one engine. Our typical flights were 10-12 hours.

The US Navy had an excellent safety record with the Neptunes, the envy of most manufacturers but as civil contract fire bombers condition maintenance and readiness may not be up to par on old tired airframes. There have been some P2V in-flight fire bomber losses.

As it came to rest after it over shot the airport property near the slurry loading pad, and slid across a roadway.

Today while they were moving the plane.

Larry

not much of a "crash"....

Glad the crew is safe.

I heard about this on the radio... Woops.

Glad everyone is ok.