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Originally Posted by SteveC  I've been following some conversations on another site that also has some pilots experienced with the area, and most (not all) say that the East River is too tight for safe 180 degree turns at low level (below building height). Not saying that it couldn't, or isn't done, just that the margins are tight.
Some of the data that I saw (unverified) gives the width of the river in that area at around 2000 feet. Consider that the diameter of a 180 degree turn, 30 degree bank, at 80 knots is very close to 2000 feet. Add in the fact that the SR20 stall speed, clean, level flight, at 30 degree bank, is 70 KIAS.
If you increase the bank angle to 45 degrees, but also increase airspeed to stay above a stall, you will find a turn diameter of 1800 feet at 100 knots. Way too close to 2000 feet, and you still have to assume that they started their turn somewhere over water, not right at the east shore of the river. Then add a 13+ knot wind from the east pushing them even further into the buildings and things don't look too good for a successful completion.
Considering that he was a low time private pilot, and the CFI was from out of state and probably unfamiliar with the area, it is all too easy to see the links of the accident chain forming. I could even see them starting up the East River by mistake (low vis) rather than the Hudson. Hard to say... |
I think this and wheelsup's calculations most likely explain what happened. There is alot more room just north of roosevelt island, and just south abeam the 34th st heliport, but over the island it is tight. I turn around on the east river, but then again I am only going 40-45 mph, and I have always turned either north or south of roosevelt. I used to always go just north of the island to turn when I started flying around the city. After a couple weeks I just started turning abeam the 3 4 because of how tight it was up there. I thought I would be too annoying to the people who live in the high rises right next to the river... that was my reason, not hitting anything, but it shows how close you get.
I don't see how you could accidentilly head up the wrong river... but these guys clearly weren't the best. How the hell do you just run into a building?! Ug. Sounds like we have some canidates for this year's Darwin award. Guess judgement can't be passed though until all the facts are in...
What ever happened to the supposed 'fuel management' radio call that was reported early on?