Sounds a bit far-fetched. While it's theoretically possible, getting the
aircraft to the precise position (altitude, alignment, airspeed) to allow
the second half of the loop to work to allow (what would have to be) a
perfect touchdown is beyond belief.

R / John

"JDupre5762" wrote in message
...
I was told a story once by someone who worked at Grumman concerning the
F-14.
It seems that one day a crew took up an F-14 and shortly after take off
found
that the pitch controls (elevons?) were stuck causing the aircraft to
pitch up
uncontrollably. By increasing power the crew was able to keep the
aircraft in
a series of loops. After several loops they used rudder to bring the
aircraft
horizontal changing the loops into a series of tight turns. In the
meantime
they were radioing Grumman for advice and were told to eject. Instead the
pilot determined that by ruddering back into a loop and using throttle he
could
land at the bottom of the loop. This was successful and later
manufacturing
tools were found jamming the affected control.

Is this true?

John Dupre'