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Grizzly bear eats aeroplane in Alaska
blogs.timeslive ^
| November 10, 2009
| Paul Ash
Posted on 11/10/2009 8:52:50 PM PST by MamaDearest
Bush pilots know that wildlife can be a hazard to your health. Aircraft have collided with giraffes and other large animals on various remote African airstrips, and there are numerous stories of downed pilots being hassled by predators after making forced landings out in the boonies. Lion and hyena are also know to be partial to certain aircraft components, tyres being a documented favourite of the big cats. My father was once left with the (hefty) bill after a gang of hyenas chewed his wingtip navigation lights and strobes (both wings) and then did a runner after dinner.
These pictures from an an un-named, hapless but entirely resourceful Alaskan bush pilot take aircraft gastronomy to new heights, however. It seems the owner of this 1958 Piper Cub – a wood-and-fabric taildragger popular with backcountry pilots – had been on a long fishing trip and after landing one day neglected to clean the aircraft properly.
The fishy aroma attracted a passing grizzly bear who, clearly frustrated at not being able to see the lovely “noms” it could smell, took the plane apart in an effort to find it. Aircraft fabric is no match for bear claws. The bear also chomped both tyres for good measure, then departed the scene.
Alaskans are a hardy bunch, however – as tough as the aircraft they fly. The pilot radioed for two new tyres, three cases of duct tape and a couple of rolls of cellophane to be flown in so he could repair his craft and get home.
The result: an ugly but utilitarian repair job. Like they say, the world really is held together with duct tape. So, campers, never leave home without it!
TOPICS: Outdoors
KEYWORDS: airplane; alaska; grizzly
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Photos on link
To: MamaDearest
Wow. Nice photos at the link.
To: MamaDearest
3
posted on
11/10/2009 9:05:40 PM PST
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
To: MamaDearest
One of the reasons I gave up the dream of bush pilot...
A man on his own.. 50 Lbs of cat chow/A gun
A wrecked plane/and a bear
lOl
4
posted on
11/10/2009 9:05:57 PM PST
by
mylife
To: DUMBGRUNT
5
posted on
11/10/2009 9:06:57 PM PST
by
mountn man
(The pleasure you get from life, is equal to the attitude you put into it.)
To: MamaDearest
You can do anything with ducktape.
6
posted on
11/10/2009 9:08:38 PM PST
by
ThomasThomas
(I don't have time to Procrastinate)
To: mountn man
Ping to show the guys at work tomorrow
To: MamaDearest
8
posted on
11/10/2009 9:10:07 PM PST
by
mylife
To: mylife
Did you see the photos on the website link (theirs)? It’s one of the most creative uses of duct tape I’ve ever seen.
9
posted on
11/10/2009 9:10:28 PM PST
by
MamaDearest
(Death panels, Abortions, Taxing us to death, Medicare cuts = Democrat goals for Leadership)
To: MamaDearest
Its done all the time.
Not for the feint of heart
10
posted on
11/10/2009 9:12:12 PM PST
by
mylife
To: machogirl
The pilot radioed for two new tyres, three cases of duct tape and a couple of rolls of cellophane to be flown in so he could repair his craft and get home.
Oh Ping-a-Ling!
11
posted on
11/10/2009 9:13:54 PM PST
by
Brad’s Gramma
(BG x 2 (and a heartbeat was heard today....))
To: MamaDearest
three cases of duct tape and a couple of rolls of cellophane to be flown in so he could repair his craft and get home.
Lol. It looks like he used them all. Did a good job too.
12
posted on
11/10/2009 9:16:45 PM PST
by
Electric Graffiti
(Yonder stands your orphan with his gun)
To: MamaDearest
13
posted on
11/10/2009 9:17:00 PM PST
by
Publius6961
(Â…he's not America, he's an employee who hasn't risen to minimal expectations.)
To: MamaDearest
Uh, a moose bit my sister?
(That title is secret FReeper code, yes?)
14
posted on
11/10/2009 9:17:02 PM PST
by
pillut48
(CJ in TX --"God help us all, and God help America!!" --my new mantra for the next 4 years)
To: ThomasThomas
Who knew Red Green could fly...:o)
15
posted on
11/10/2009 9:23:31 PM PST
by
Squantos
(Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet)
To: pillut48
(That title is secret FReeper code, yes?) Only for those FReepers who Jim Robinson gave secret decoder rings!
16
posted on
11/10/2009 9:25:43 PM PST
by
MamaDearest
(Death panels, Abortions, Taxing us to death, Medicare cuts = Democrat goals for Leadership)
To: mylife
LMAO !
Cat chow an a gun.
HAT Hurricane Survival 101 ?
17
posted on
11/10/2009 9:26:32 PM PST
by
Squantos
(Be polite. Be professional. But have a plan to kill everyone you meet)
To: Squantos; fanfan
Who knew Red Green could fly...:o) I've heard that show is no longer being made. I confess, I watched it!
18
posted on
11/10/2009 9:27:16 PM PST
by
MamaDearest
(Death panels, Abortions, Taxing us to death, Medicare cuts = Democrat goals for Leadership)
To: MamaDearest
Wha...???
Some guy named Jim Thompson promised to mail me a secret FReeper decoder ring in the mail if I sent him a $200 cashier's check!!
Was that wrong of me??
;-)
19
posted on
11/10/2009 9:29:01 PM PST
by
pillut48
(CJ in TX --"God help us all, and God help America!!" --my new mantra for the next 4 years)
To: ThomasThomas
As far as I’m concerned, duct tape is the most valuable invention of the 20th century.
20
posted on
11/10/2009 9:33:11 PM PST
by
Mobties
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