Scary C-5 Galaxy (almost hydroplaning) takeoff from a flooding runway

Fortunately, the U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy in the above image was eventually able to get airborne.

However, the amoung of extra drag caused by the rain on the runway and the risk of hydroplaning (and dirty water being injected in the engines) may have put the takeoff at risk.

We originally posted the actual video of the take off, but the footage was pulled because the YouTube account associated with it was been terminated. Still, the above screenshot gives an idea of the challenging conditions of the runway as the aircraft departed.



About David Cenciotti
David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

5 Comments

  1. I watched the video a few times and the water never entered the engine. Due to the nose gear, it did run down the side of the fuselage in between the inboard engine, but not into the intake.

  2. Noted for future reference. When the unit files any future Deficiency Report for any landing gear on this jet: DENIED!

  3. This site with the drama! Do you actually know anything about aircraft operations? Scary takeoff? The guys at WPAFB are laughing as usual at the stupid conclusions you feed your ignorant viewers. Lots of water being pushed by a big jet, nothing else to report! “Dirty water in the intakes?” laughably stupid.

  4. Alwayswrong, the only thing the post said was RISK of dirty water into the engines and RISK of hydroplaning. You injected your own drama, chief.

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