*** Posted by Kim Nielsen ***

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I have also had some major gear damage comming back from a mission and had to declare an emergency. I had to land the F16 on it's belly and I did this ok. There were sparks and smoke everywhere. If you are in this situation remember that you still have to pull back on the stick and keep the aircraft level when your skidding along the ground. Pulling back on the stick and using your airbrakes will help bring the aircraft to a quicker halt.
You must be brave and keep a cool head in this situation or you will make a mistake and get killed.

Rapier.
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I remember that RDAF had an belly-landing with F-16 early after it's introduction. The reason why I remembers is that it happened live in front of a tv-crew from the national-regional tv-station.
The fighter suffered very slight damage becaused by the belly mounted tank / canister (?), and i noticed that it was levelled perfect until the last ½ meter, however the control planes were dancing pretty much towards the end of the glide to keep the control of the situation!!
The pilot? I didnt see him at the first becaused of a short focus on the oncoming fireengines, but then I spotted a small figure record-sprinting across the surrounding grassareas - OK he came well out!

Kim