DA40NG

Flight Data

The 4 attempts to return to the 5192 ft runway all fell short (see above).  Perhaps with ground effects, 2 would have made it.    All would miss our "standard" 4,000 ft distance.  See the reasons below.

Flight Analysis

Takeoff distance                                               Typical (Begin climb is long)

Difference between climb and glide angle   Low (1.7 degrees)

Altitude lost in turn                                          Large (557-697 ft)

Note: Flat transition from turn to steady glide indicates non-optimal turn

The dashed grey line coming from the 4,000 ft. runway distance is set at the glide angle of the plane. Any time the plane falls below this line, without power, it is not possible to return to the runway (4,000 ft is used as our standard way to compare planes).

In this case, since the climb angle and glide angle were very close, with a marginal loss of altitude lost in the turn, the plane falls below the dashed line and is not able to make it back.