Israeli F15 after mid-air collision - yes the pilot landed this one!

Am I see that correctly - is the entire right wing gone?

Douglas engineers a known for making them so they fly even when damaged :-)
Remember, the DC-3 is 70 years old and some are still flying out there.

Yep it collided with an A4 and lost the whole starboard wing. Student pilot (albeit an experienced convertee) refused instructor's order to eject, regained control and landed it, at nearly 300 kts. Then he released he was 50% down on wings - bet the plane captain was chuffed!

Rumour has it the pilot was demoted for disobeying his instructor, then immediately promoted for saving the airframe.

McDonnell Douglas stated that all their computer simulations proved this was impossible; seems it worked because of the lift provided by the huge engine body - helped a little be a very talented (and lucky) pilot I suspect

This incident was covered in a 'Battle Stations' programme on the History channel and had loads of pictures and an interview with the pilot.

It was said that the underside acts like extra wing area providing lift.

The pilot said that he was unaware of the full extent of the damage until he landed and had he been aware then he would probably have used the bang seat and parted company with his bird.

Lucky man whatever somebody must have been looking out for him on that day.

John

The full story is VERY impressive. Apparently he finally realised the wing had gone when he turned round to shake his instructor's hand, after they had stopped about 100 yards short of the end of the runway!