Oscillating Tupolev Tu-154B-2......

[Caravellarella]

Dear Boys and Girls, here are a set of (poor quality) videos on youtube of a Tu-154B-2 whose ailerons went defective on a first test-flight after 10 year's static storage. According to Airliners.net it is a real event which happened at a military airbase near Moscow......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP5uLDnUOdI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ1CIByTz24&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM9UM33EKqY&feature=related

 

[Grey Havoc]

Ouch.

Good flying. One rather suspects that, after landing, the flight crew took the maintainers responsible for that bird to a quiet corner and gave them a right old beating.

 

[flateric]

Tu-154B-2 whose ailerons went defective on a first test-flight after 10 year's static storage

not only ailerons. elevators, too
all they had were engines and rudder
Chkalovsky Airport (UUMU), RA-85563, April 29, 2011

 

[bazz]

Only Rudder and engines and they are in one piece!?!?

If it had started to roll they would have no way of rectifying it.

I have visions of the maintence crew of that bird gaffer taped to office chairs and pushed down a big hill.

 

[Machdiamond]

If it had started to roll they would have no way of rectifying it.

Actually they would, when you apply rudder to one side, the wing on the opposite side has more lift and the aircraft will roll.

That's what dihedral is there for (or dihedral effect provided by a swept wing).

It is very easy to fly a Cessna 172 with jammed aileron and elevator, on the other hand I am sure the Tu-154 would be quite an adventure.

One of the greatest saves in history IMHO, along with UA232 Sioux City and DHL in Bagdad.

 

[XP67_Moonbat]

Kudos to the flight crew for getting the bird back down in one piece. As for the ground crew...well...I can guarantee maintenance like theirs wouldn't fly (no pun) in my Navy. At the minimum, they'd be at Captain's Mast so fast, their heads would spin.

They'd probably get 45/45 (45 days restriction/45 days loss of pay) and be counting their lucky stars that's all they'd get.

 

[Caravellarella]

If it had started to roll they would have no way of rectifying it.

That's what dihedral is there for (or dihedral effect provided by a swept wing).

The Tupolev Tu-154 has anhedral on the wing. All credit to the Tu-154 for having such a strong (Soviet heavy duty) airframe......

 

[Machdiamond]

The Tupolev Tu-154 has anhedral on the wing.

Geometrically yes, but what counts is aerodynamic dihedral.

Swept wing provide a large dihedral effect.

--Luc

PS: Not to diminish credit to anyone of course.

 

[robunos]

ISTR that 10o of sweepback is equal to 1o of dihedral...


cheers,
Robin.

 

[Firefly 2]

Wow, those pilots know the trade...