"John A. Weeks III" wrote:

Anyone else watch the Jet Blue Airbus on CNN
do the emergency landing at LAX with the nose
gear pointed crossways? It is worth checking
out the highlights on CNN to watch it. That
had to be one of the best and smoothest landings
I have ever seen. The pilot really greased it
in, and held the nose up for what seemed like
forever to burn off speed before he had to put
the nose gear down. Even after burning up both
tires and melting down part of the strut, he
never was more than a foot from the center line.
It was an amazing job in a pressure situation.

BTW, the nose gear malfunctioned on take off, so
CNN covered it live for nearly 3 hours as they
circled LA and burned off fuel. The flight took
off from Burbank and was going to the east coast.
Jet Blue is based at Long Beach, but they decided
to land at LAX. CNN brought Captain Al Haynes
on the air as an expert commentator--it was good
to hear his voice again.

-john-

Yes, they did a terrific job IMO...they were also lucky that the
cock was a big one (that's certainly one time that size matters).
Just imagine what a, say 45 degree cock, would have been like to
handle...good decision too about using the 'air stairs' vice the
chutes...I agree that it was a nice touch to have Capt Haynes as
an expert witness...I have a bunch of respect for him.
--

-Gord.
(use gordon in email)