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Discovery Channel Crashes a Boeing 727 to Create a Documentary
The Discovery channel crashed a Boeing 727 into the Sonoran Desert in Mexico as part of their new documentary series titled "Curiosity". They are looking to "re-create a serious, but survivable, passenger jet crash landing with a real aircraft," Discovery said in a statement. The plane was loaded with crash test dummies and cameras to examine impact.This groundbreaking project features an actual crash of a passenger jet and explores the big questions about how to make plane… (latimesblogs.latimes.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
What a sad way for such a fine aircraft to go or any plane for that matter. The FAA and NTSB did this years ago with a B720 but the test was a failure, one of the goals of the test was to see how a fuel additive that was supposed to reduce the atomization of jet fuel to reduce the after crash fire that will usually result after a crash. In actuallity the fire was more intense than what was anticipated ending up in a huge fireball. In regards as to who flew the last B727 this aircraft is still in service mostly in air cargo operations and also as private jets. The 727 was one of the best aircraft Boeing has ever built and economics of high fuel costs is what did it in. But has anyone ever looked into re-engining them to more fuel efficient turbofans instead of the JT8-D turbojet?
My thoughts...
Every airframe has a finite lifespan, mostly due to the economics of of upkeep, and also because commercial planes experience much more stress than even a flight school C172. For example, how many Ford Tri-motors are in flying condition today. I dare you to fly commercially from, let's say Chicago to N.Y. in one.
Re-engining? Have you ever put a Chevrolet engine in a Ford? There is not any logical reason to do so.
Still think it's a waste of an airframe? If the last test of this nature occured in the 1980's on an aged airframe of perhaps, 20 years old, that data becomes partly insufficient on airframes made last year. In a search, I found a 2007 CNN article saying the NHTSA conducts 200 vehicle crash tests every year. Didn't see anyone cry over a busted-up Kia.
Every airframe has a finite lifespan, mostly due to the economics of of upkeep, and also because commercial planes experience much more stress than even a flight school C172. For example, how many Ford Tri-motors are in flying condition today. I dare you to fly commercially from, let's say Chicago to N.Y. in one.
Re-engining? Have you ever put a Chevrolet engine in a Ford? There is not any logical reason to do so.
Still think it's a waste of an airframe? If the last test of this nature occured in the 1980's on an aged airframe of perhaps, 20 years old, that data becomes partly insufficient on airframes made last year. In a search, I found a 2007 CNN article saying the NHTSA conducts 200 vehicle crash tests every year. Didn't see anyone cry over a busted-up Kia.
The photo is not a Boeing 727. It's an MD-80 variant.
Last time I checked, the MD-80 family didn't have a center engine..... take another look!
Im sure that the plane was controlled by remote. Thats how NASA did there tests of some planes.
Anyone have the tail number or air-frame history of who last flew the 727...