A safe one-wheel landing by a PV Ventura on a Pacific Island during WW2 from Naval Aviation News, March 15, 1945.
ONE-WHEEL LANDING
A PV piloted by a Lieutenant Commander made a successful one-wheel landing on a Pacific island airstrip without injuring the crew or dislodging a 100-lb. bomb no one knew was stuck in the bomb bay. The pilot’s report follows:
While over an enemy target the plane received one hit in the left engine nacelle which severed the hydraulic line and broke the engine mount near the fire wall. The hydraulic system lost all pressure. On return to the field the hand pump would not extend the landing gear.
VENTURA, WITH 100-LB. BOMB IN BAY, MAKES A LANDING ON PACIFIC ISLAND WITH LITTLE DAMAGE
Using the emergency extension system only extended the left main mount; the right wheel could not be released from the mechanical uplocks as the cable broke. The tail wheel extended but would not lock. I dropped both external gas tanks and released the escape hatch. My approach was higher than normal and at 110 knots indicated. Keeping the left wing low, I slipped the plane to hold it straight and lose my additional altitude without picking up excessive speed.
As the plane touched the ground on the left wheel, the radioman cut the master electrical switch, I put both engines in idle cut-off and cut the ignition switches. All other electrical gear was cut off in the final approach. The landing was full stalled without flap. Aileron and rudder control was excellent and no trouble was experienced holding up the right wing.
At 58 knots IAS, aileron control was lost, causing the right wing to drop onto the runway. The plane swerved and turned about 150° over an embankment and stopped. The tail wheel being unlocked prevented damage to the empennage. Over-all damage to the plane was surprisingly small and the left main gear was not damaged. Neither engine suffered sudden stoppage and no personnel received any injury, having taken ditching stations before the forced landing was made.
ENEMY SHELLS RUINED THE PLANE’S HYDRAULIC CONTROL, FORCING PV TO COME IN ON ONE WHEEL
