Jet Blue Nose Gear

[jinman]

Some interesting photos... Thankfully!

 

[jinman]

Another...

 

[jinman]

Final.

 

[JayC]

Those are some good photos. When they were coming in for the landing, I was holding my breath. They are so lucky that the nose gear held. I thought sure it would have collapsed. The pilot sure did a great job landing it.

 

[BB_TX]

Pretty amazing he was able to hold it down the middle of the runway. I assume they normally steer with the front wheel on landing. He was obviously very good. Was he also very lucky? Or did he manage to keep it straight with the rudder?

 

[gmsssi]

I can't believe it didn't grind away more of the wheel. Must be tough stuff!

 

[beenthere]

Amazing alright, that that gear can withstand that pressure.

I don't think the front nose wheel is used for any steering while landing. Only when taxi'ing at very slow speeds around the terminal. Some braking of the main wheels per the normal 'steering' procedure is likely all that was used, along with keeping some of the load off the nose wheel as long as possible.

 

[HGM]

That was my understanding of the steering. On landing I noticed he kept that wheel in the air as long as possilbe to eliminate the directional drift, I would think. They also mentioned that the gear on that craft folds forward so it couldnt fold back without breaking. I guess that added to the success they had. Prety remarkable, he's a great pilot. Could you immagine being on the plane for 3hrs knowing it had an issue involving landing /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I dont understand why they didnt complete the trip and land in NY, it would have been the same iss there and everyone would have made it to their destination. Unless they didnt want to do it in the dark?

 

[thcri]

To me it should have snapped. If the nose was pointed back it would have been ok, but the wheels and gear were pointing forward, the traction on the wheels have to be greatly increased since they were pointing forward. Amazing


murph

 

[jinman]

Here's a closeup of the leading wheel. Notice that the greas in the bearing seems to still be in good shape (not burned to a crisp). You'd expect the heat to make that wheel red hot, but it seems there was enough mass in the gear to dissipate the heat.

 

[Phils]

It was amazing to watch.

I find it more amazing that this wasn't the first time this problem has occurred and no one is suggesting that the problem be addressed before these Airbuses are allowed to continue flying.

Phil

 

[TOMLESCOEQUIP]

Watch the landing here: Jet blue landing

 

[gsxr1100]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
To me it should have snapped. If the nose was pointed back it would have been ok, but the wheels and gear were pointing forward, the traction on the wheels have to be greatly increased since they were pointing forward. Amazing )</font>

It was designed to take abuse as I was told by some engineering nerds! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[DocHeb]

Great Pictures!

Boy, after watching it land live at LAX, and with you providing "up-close-and-personal" photos, it really makes it seem more real.

Did you take the pictures? I could see these pictures going world-wide on the world-wide-web.

 

[beenthere]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Great Pictures!

......... I could see these pictures going world-wide on the world-wide-web. )</font>

Doc
This IS the world-wide web /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jinman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Did you take the pictures? )</font>

No Chris, I didn't take those pictures. I work in aviation training and we have many pilots and FAA inspectors who train with us. One of our advanced airmanship instructors is a retired American Airlines Captain and he has more friends in more places than I can count. One of his "contacts" sent him those pictures and he forwarded them to me. Whoever took them sure did a great job. Pictures like that go a long way to tell a story about what happened after the fact. They can also be a great tool to use in training because they drive home the need for pilots to practice their emergency procedures over and over until they can do them in their sleep. This pilot did a tremendous job and deserves all the credit coming his way. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[DocHeb]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Doc
This IS the world-wide web )</font>

Of course, I realize that - but there are some pictures that truly get passed on "world-wide", and end up being the type that are attached to "FW:FW:FW:FW:FW:RE: Jet Blue Nose Gear" emails and end up on Snopes.com where their accuracy is verified or disputed. The TBN Photo Gallery picture of my TC40D will not make "world-wide" fame, while, for example, the picture of the Middle-Eastern man working under his truck that is held up by a 4x4 is instantly recognizable world-wide.

 

[daedong]

Jim

Thanks for showing us those pics, very interesting. It’s a testament to the design strength of the legs or struts or what ever they are called that the wheels are attached to.

 

[kensfarm]

I think they could get another landing out of those rims.. still over half left. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[HGM]

They could at leas weld them together to get one.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif