Belly landing an A-10 after canopy blows off/landing gear fails

[Sam1]

This was quite the predicament

http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/news/a27761/belly-land-a-10-warthog/

[Ronald_55]

I hope he ran and immediately bought lotto tickets. One wrong bounce and he could have been rolling down the runway in a fire ball. 

[Garufa]

13 minutes ago, Ronald_55 said:

I hope he ran and immediately bought lotto tickets. One wrong bounce and he could have been rolling down the runway in a fire ball. 

I imagine he ran to change his drawers.

[KahrMan]

How does he even fit into a cockpit considering how big his family jewels are...

[DWARREN123]

Good training does save lives!

[Sam1]

8 minutes ago, DWARREN123 said:

Good training does save lives!

That + a testament to bad assery of an A10.  I can't believe they keep trying to get rid of the damn things... Upgrading these beasts would be much cheaper than designing a new one from scratch - and then you get into the issue of not knowing if the new aircraft will even be worth a dang.  I say put more powerful engines on them, lighten the load and add more ammo  

[BrasilNuts]

Baddest bird in the sky.

[MacGyver]

They probably patched that thing up and put it back out there the same afternoon  

[Grand Torino]

I worked on these off and on for 10 years and it's a testament to the durability of these wonderful birds. I retired in 92.

[Sam1]

40 minutes ago, Grand Torino said:

I worked on these off and on for 10 years and it's a testament to the durability of these wonderful birds. I retired in 92.

So what's the process after the do a crash landing like this?  Do they disassemble pretty much the entire plane, or inspect it while it's together and remove/replace as little as possible?

[Grand Torino]

Just now, Sam1 said:

So what's the process after the do a crash landing like this?  Do they disassemble pretty much the entire plane, or inspect it while it's together and remove/replace as little as possible?

They usually crane it on a flatbed and haul it to a hangar for inspection and assessment. Then they will either repair it or strip it for parts and scrap the rest. I have seen an A10 belly in once before and actually fly once again. Amazing aircraft.

[Wingshooter]

Such an amazing airplane. Those CF34/TF34 engines are tough just like the airframe. Not many people get to fly one open-cockpit though.