By akademiotoelektronik, 23/01/2023

An extra 330LC plane of the air force aerobatic team forced to an emergency landing in a meadow

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The Air Force Voltige team [EVAA] will have to do without their extra 330LC [biplace] plane for some time.Indeed, on October 17, after having taken part in his last air meeting of the season, above the bay of Saint-Jean-de-Luz and during a return flight to Salon-de-Provence, the veryExperienced Captain Alexandre Orlowski, the commander of this unit, and his mechanic, had to land in an emergency in a field located in the vicinity of Mirande [Gers], due to a breakdown of his engine.

"A rescue operation was immediately triggered.The air and space gendarmerie is seized of the investigation which is entrusted to the office Investigation accident for the security of aeronautics of state [BEA-É], "said the staff of the armies[EMA], in a brief press release.

Captain Orlowski and his mechanic were not injured.On the other hand, their extra 330LC has undergone some damage, especially in the landing gear.

Without an engine, the maneuver carried out by Captain Orlowski was obviously very delicate, especially since he had to quickly spot a place where to put his plane. Il « a réussi à en trouver un qui avait la bonne taille, un petit peu de pente aussi et il s’est posé aux limites de l’avion », c’est à dire à la vitesse de décrochage, a expliqué le colonel Stéphane Spet, le porte-parole de l’armée de l’Air & de l’Espace [AAE], à l’AFP.

The land will therefore have been a field, located at a place called l'Escalet.Its owner told the scene in the daily La Dépêche."It's rather unexpected.I was afraid for my house which is so close.I would remember it for a long time.I met the healthy and saved crew, but a little shaken by what had just happened to them, "he said.The extra 330LC, placed under military surveillance, should be removed within three days.

Captain Orlowski is what is called, in aeronautical jagon, an "mustache", even a "chibani".Patented fighter pilot in 2004, passed by the 1/2 "stork" squadrons [Mirage 2000-5] and 2/2 "Côte d'Or" [Alphajet], he has been assigned to the Evaa since 2011.He is reigning French champion and ex-aerobatic world champion.

As a reminder, the Extra 330LC has a flat 6 -cylinder Lycoming engine developing 330 hp."This reliable and proven mechanism allows an almost immediate reaction when setting out for gas or their reduction by the pilot," it explained in the Evaa presentation brochure.

Photo: Extra 330 © Air Force Air Force Team