+Gepard 11,506 Posted December 23, 2012 Date: 22-DEC-2012 Time: Type: Santa SuperSleigh 100F Operator: Private, dba Santa Claus Registration: NP-001 C/n / msn: SS100-01 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Minor Location: North Pole Cargoport Airfield - North Pole Phase: Take off Nature: Cargo Departure airport: North Pole Cargoport Airfield Destination airport: Tonga Narrative: A reindeer-powered experimental Santa SuperSleigh 100F, sustained minor damage when it veered off the left side of runway 31 during its takeoff at the North Pole Cargoport Airfield, North Pole, and struck runway lights. The instrument rated captain was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual dba Santa Claus as a nonscheduled international cargo flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, with snowfall. The pilot reported that there was snow and ice on the runway. He reported that a strong crosswind gust forced the experimental airplane to veer off the left side of the runway where the it struck runway lights. The pilot managed to get the SuperSleigh back on the runway and stop. A postaccident inspection of the airplane revealed minor damage and the flight was able to continue after repairs. Observers questioned the weight and balance data reported by the pilot who said "his wife and the elves" had prepared the manifest for him and that he had not personally verified the calculations. Sources: pilot report Full report you find at: http://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=151374 It is still believed, that NORAD will track Santas flight around the world tomorrow. Further information and take off count down you will find at: http://www.noradsanta.org/en/ Have a nice day and merry X-Mas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slartibartfast 153 Posted December 23, 2012 Well testing equipment that has to deal with what his sleigh needs to do is a fraught business though what the wife and elves packed is a mystery until the 25th December... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites