Aviator memorial

Aviator memorial in memory of the dead fighter pilots of all peoples of the Second World War , Geisenheim in the Rheingau

There are aviator memorials as a reminder of flight accidents or crashes , but also as symbols for nearby flight schools or flight centers. These monuments often stand on peaks or prominent rock steps. A common emblem is the eagle .

In aviator language

Fliegerdenkmal is also a euphemism from the aviation language and describes an aircraft that had an accident while taking off or (more often) landing and did a "headstand".

This American bomber of the type B-24 Liberator (with nose wheel) blocked the brakes during take-off. 6 crew members were killed in the process (1946).

Grumman F4F Wildcat after an accident aboard the American training aircraft carrier USS Sable in May 1945

Causes can be:

Pilot error
an uneven runway
technical failure, e.g. B. Locking the wheels
Gusts of wind or the propeller jet of other aircraft, especially light aircraft

The earlier common aircraft with tailwheels were particularly susceptible to this type of accident, as the main landing gear in front was touched down first and if it got stuck on the ground the aircraft would tip forward. Today's airplanes usually have a nose wheel so that if the main landing gear gets stuck, they only tip onto the nose wheel. Even if the nose landing gear breaks, such aircraft lean forward, but due to the main landing gear being further back, there is rarely a pronounced "headstand" (however, it is not precisely defined from which inclination can be referred to as an aviator memorial ) . In addition, most aircraft today use well-developed runways without major bumps, which further reduces the risk of accidents.