As he reviewed pilot crash reports, an Air Force military science professor stumbled upon this understated entry:
“ After catastrophic engine failure, I landed long.
As I had no power, the landing gear failed to deploy and no braking was available.
I bounced over the stone wall at the end of the runway, struck the trailer of a truck while crossing the perimeter road, crashed through the guardrail, grazed a large pine tree, ran over a tractor parked in the adjacent field, and hit another tree. Then I lost control. ”
“ After catastrophic engine failure, I landed long.
As I had no power, the landing gear failed to deploy and no braking was available.
I bounced over the stone wall at the end of the runway, struck the trailer of a truck while crossing the perimeter road, crashed through the guardrail, grazed a large pine tree, ran over a tractor parked in the adjacent field, and hit another tree. Then I lost control. ”