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Old January 2nd 07, 06:23 AM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
Jack
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Posts: 86
Default Video of midair with tow rope

wrote:

Ive heard a story of a 172 that actually flew into a kite string in
Florida and had to make an emergency landing. I guess that having the
string, or rope in this case, really screws up the engine. I have no
idea why. Maybe it causes enough drag on the prop to stop the engine,
im not sure


The engine/prop could be so unbalanced that it would be necessary to
shut the engine down to keep it from vibrating heavily enough to damage
the structure of the aircraft. This is what happens when a prop blade is
lost, for example.

However, as we are well aware, an operating engine is not necessary to
continue controlled flight. So the question remains: why was it
necessary to use the parachute? Was the terrain unlandable, or was the
pilot more conscious of the parachute's capabilities than the aircraft's?


Jack