03/05 - 03/07 - Hontoon Island, Florida CBGT

I had not looked at the video, but the possibility of windshear came to my mind as I read the article. 9000 foot should be plenty of distance to stop a 737. But things mechanically can also go wrong. We had a 757 go off the end of the runway at JAC (Jackson Hole Wyoming) a number of years ago. I knew the captain of that airplane, flying with him many times in the past, including into JAC. He was experienced and familiar with that field. Being a high elevation and short runway (many times slick the last third from frost) you used maximum braking and reverse thrust to stop. In his event, a squat switch did not work until it was too late, making the airplane think it was still airborne, therefore no braking and no reverse thrust. It's possible something like this could have happened at JAX (NAS Jacksonville), yet with a hard landing, I'm pretty sure the squat switch was "squatted"! lol. I hate to morning quarterback these things, as too many variables that could have happened. But windshear can be dangerous, and if you are depending only on braking (without reverse thrust which isn't always available) hydroplaning could be an issue.

As for hull loss, yeah, with the salt water and all, it's probably going to be salvaged for scrap. Colby
 
A little more information coming out.

https://news.yahoo.com/passenger-problem-ac-plane-crashed-river-150206035.html

The runway change may or may not have been a good idea in after thought. However, with one thrust reverser inop, you would have asymetrical thrust if you used reverse on the one engine, and again braking could have been affected by hydroplaning. (However most runways are grooved to lessen that problem.) The amount of runway is getting shorter with that arresting cable in place, and might even have caused some problems if the pilots landed on it, but there still should have been enough length on a normal day for that airplane to get stopped.

Must not have been a good day for flying in Jacksonville, as the story finishes with a quick blurb about a private pilot landing in the River as well... Colby
 
Attention Hontoon C-Brats!

Next year at Hontoon there will be a area with a pay washer and dryer. These will be available to anyone camping in the campground or marina. The Park manager and volunteer organization asked for finances to help fund this much needed project. Your donations from the last gathering of over $1200.00 has been turned over to the park toward this.

There are always needs at Hontoon Island. I received some great suggestions from other C-Brats and passed them along to Rene the manager for future consideration. I’ll post photos after completion.

C-Brats are some of the most GENEROUS folks.

Thanks to all from Rene and the rest of the staff at Hontoon Island State Park.

See you all in 2020 on the St. John’s River and God Bless.

Tom and Joyce
 
Sounds like once again, the donation will go to a good use that benefits us as well. As usual, looking forward to next year. Giving some consideration to coming down a month early to volunteer, but we'll see how things pan out before then. Colby
 
Tom and Joyce,

The washer and dryer will be a much needed addition for Hontoon Island State Park. It will be great for those that stay for more than a few days or are on the road for multiple days before they arrive. Thanks to all the C-Brats that make these upgrades to the Park possible. I hope to see everyone next year.

Bill
 
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