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From: msw@drux3.UUCP (Mike Walpole)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Most beautiful aircraft
Message-ID: <1320@drux3.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 15-Jul-85 14:19:40 EDT
Article-I.D.: drux3.1320
Posted: Mon Jul 15 14:19:40 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 17-Jul-85 06:08:38 EDT
References: <2857@decwrl.UUCP> <808@ihnp4.UUCP> <693@dataio.UUCP> <866@ccice5.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
Lines: 29

> > I believe that the roll took place during a Seafair hydroplane race in front
> > of thousands of spectators, much to the horror of Boeing officials.  I don't
> > recall what happened to Tex, but I'm sure that this one unsanctioned display
> > did more to sell the plane than any other!

> Didn't a roll also happen to a TWA 727 on a passanger flight over Lake Erie
> a couple of years ago?  Since I don't enjoy flying (but love airplanes!), I
> always make it a point to try to get on Boeing craft.  I always feel a bit
> safer knowing that they can do things airliners are not supposed to be
> able to do.

Yes, this did happen, but not on purpose.  What happened was that the crew
of the 727 used the leading edge slats during their climb.  When the slats
were retracted at altitude one side did not retract causing the plane to
be way out of trim.  The plane started to roll and the captain corrected it.
The captain and the first officer tried to correct the problem and while
they tried the plane started to roll again.  This time when they corrected
nothing happened and they started doing 4G barrel rolls at 30,000 feet.
As they completed the first roll at 16,000 ft. they put the gear out to
slow things down with no effect.  As they completed the second roll the slat
that was stuck parted company with the wing and the pilot was able to regain
control.  In the ensuing 6G pullout the fuselage was permanently wrinkled
at the wing root making the airframe unuseable.  After all that the crew
landed the plane safely.

Mike Walpole

ps.  I did this from memory.  If anyone has additions or corrections
please feel free.