Airplane Crash In-Cockpit Footage: Stinson 108-3
Why Aviation Stack Exchange recommends it
Aviation Stack Exchange users link it as a real-world example of a plane struggling to climb in high density altitude conditions and ground effect, and of how pilots misjudge marginal takeoffs.
Recommended by 1 people across 1 different months, 2014 to 2021.
What it is
A short AVweb news report showing cockpit footage from the right seat of a Stinson 108-3 that crashed near Bruce Meadows airstrip in Idaho on June 30, 2012. All four occupants survived, and the report notes high density altitude as a likely factor limiting takeoff and climb performance.
What people said
Recommends 2NinerRomeo · 2019-01 · Aviation Stack Exchange · on “Why is this video of a G36 Bonanza taking off so scary?”
They Trimmed the Margins to Zero In this video, the aircraft takes off and flies a straight course through the trees and continues a shallow climb out. To the uninitiated, this may appear innocuous, until one realizes that the aircraft was performing at it's maximum limits with near zero room for error. The voice and narration of this video does a good job breaking down what happened in this scenario, to recap in writing: The pilots appear to have calculated the takeoff performance, found it to be adequate and made their attempt. Their calculations were likely correct, but sufficiently lacking in margin so as to excite those on board who were cognizant of the situation. It is reasonable to a
Cites falstro · 2014-02 · Aviation Stack Exchange · on “Does temperature affect takeoff performance?”
Yes, it is quite correct that an airplane requires a longer runway on a hot day. The effect is the same as being at a high altitude. High up on a hot day, in the middle of a low pressure zone is the worst, as the effects are combined. What it comes down to is air density, less dense air means less "stuff" for the wings to sail through, generating less lift, and thus requires higher airspeed before being able to lift off. On top of that, engines need oxygen to fuel the combustion, less dense air means less oxygen and therefore less power output from the engine. And just as the wings are less effective, so are the propeller or fan blades, converting less engine power to thrust. So in essence,
Cites John K · 2019-01 · Aviation Stack Exchange · on “Why is this video of a G36 Bonanza taking off so scary?”
Maybe maybe not. Lots of people survive crashes into trees, especially coniferous ones which absorb the energy very well. [this video] The only crashes with the guaranteed probability of death that you are implying are when airplanes go straight into the ground; ie, stall spin or similar. A controlled descent into coniferous trees, maybe, maybe not.
Cites Kenn Sebesta · 2021-06 · Aviation Stack Exchange · on “Can airspeed in ground effect be used to estimate climb performance?”
A very interesting crash video (in which everyone survived) shows a Stinson which takes off but is unable to climb out of ground effect.[*] Watching the video, it seems that the pilot had ample time to put the plane back down in a controlled manner, but was likely stuck in a mindset that "the plane took off and is climbing, we only need a hundred feet more and we're safe". The reality was that the plane was unable to climb out of ground effect, which is why over the 2 1/2 minute flight it never rose above tree height. Since ground effect enhances lift, it also means that the plane can accelerate and fly faster in ground effect, since less thrust is being used to overcome the induced drag. St