A-10 pilot manages to 'belly land' his plane after canopy blows off, and landing gear fails

Business Insider ^ | 8/15/17 | ALEX LOCKIE

[Rebelbase]

After a routine training run in Alpena County, Michigan in late July, US Air National Guard Capt. Brett DeVries survived the perfect storm of malfunctions to safely land his A-10 Thunderbolt II on its belly without the benefit of landing gear.

During a training exercise where A-10 pilots practice dropping inert bombs and ripping the planes' massive gun, DeVries' gun malfunctioned. Moments later, his canopy blew off his plane as he flew along at 375 miles an hour, according to a US Air National Guard write up of the event .

The incredible winds smacked DeVries head against his seat, nearly incapacitating him. "It was like someone sucker punched me," he said. "I was just dazed for a moment."

DeVries wingman, Major Shannon Vickers, then flew under his plane to assess the damage, finding bad news. The panels under his plane had been damaged, and it was unclear if he would be able to lower his landing gear.

[Rebelbase]

But we need to replace the A-10 with the F-35...

[Rebelbase]

Had to modify the title to fit.

Full Title: A-10 pilot manages to ‘belly land’ his plane after gun malfunctions, canopy blows off, and landing gear fails

[Strac6]

It’s a tough A-10

It’ll buff out!

[Reno89519]

Says a lot about that aircraft that they will fix and fly it again.

[Rebelbase]

More details here:

http://www.127wg.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1275644/no-second-guesses-selfridge-pilots-share-story-of-emergency-landing/

[ConservativeMind]

I want to fly in planes that are that intrinsically safe.

Wow. A safe landing after all of that.

[Yosemitest]

WRONG !
The F-35 is a computer nightmare and a "hanger queen"!
We should NEVER get rid of the A-10 !

[bigbob]

Good flying, Captain!

[Sequoyah101]

Great training,good job,great airplane.

[Professional]

Can someone explain the planes battle markings?

[Strac6]

Out-effing-standing job!

[headstamp 2]

Perfect for the back yard.

[W.]

Large brass balls, there!

[caww]

“In that moment, your training kicks in. The training – that’s what saves you and your wingman,"..Pilot DeVries said.

...Canopy popped off as the jet was cruising at about 375 miles per hour...landing gear malfunction...'belly lands' the plane

DeVries and fellow Warthog pilot Maj. Shannon Vickers

[Oscar in Batangas]

Which maintenance guys did he tick off lately??

[ROCKLOBSTER]

WRONG ! The F-35 is a computer nightmare and a "hanger queen"! We should NEVER get rid of the A-10 !

What...didn't you see his /sarc tag?

[Yosemitest]

26+ Years in air traffic control tower in the USAF and 5+ years in the FAA have taught me to DESPISE the F-35 !
All it is, is a well politicized aircraft, with parts made in every state, so congress rodents could sell it to their constituents !
Ask the pilots who had to fly those nightmares while they were being developed.
I was at March AFB when the first few porpoised into the ground on final at Edwards, because they were aerodynamically UNSTABLE.
I was around during the trials between the FY-35 and the FY-22 .
The Fy-22 beat it in EVERY Category.
That one engined DISASTER, the F-35, should have NEVER been funded !

[Delta 21]

Looks like over 130 bomb missions on that one. Sometimes they have very specific decals that ID exactly the types of bombs dropped, targets mercilessly destroyed, etc.

[Nailbiter]

ping

[crz]

Ya, and a little JB weld will fix er right up.

LOL!