Weight Focused on the Nosewheel
During takeoff and landing, the majority of an aircraft’s weight should be concentrated on its main gear rather than the nosewheel. When too much weight is transferred onto the nosewheel, a situation known as wheelbarrowing can occur. This can lead to a loss of directional control, cause the propeller to strike the ground, or even result in the nose gear collapsing. Additionally, with little weight on the main landing gear, there is limited braking action. And if all that wasn’t bad enough, in strong crosswind conditions, the plane can pivot around the nosewheel, weathervaning into the wind and making directional control extremely difficult.
Common Causes
According to the FAA, “one of the most common causes of wheelbarrowing during the landing roll is a simultaneous touchdown of the main and nose wheel with excessive speed, followed by application of forward pressure on the elevator control.” Another time wheelbarrowing can happen is when attempting to land at an overly fast airspeed. If overly focused on the landing point, one might “push” the nose into the ground first and then instinctively apply forward elevator pressure in an attempt to firmly plant the aircraft on the intended landing point.
If You Begin to Wheelbarrow, Here’s What to Do
The best thing to do if wheelbarrowing starts is a go-around. Increase back pressure while simultaneously increasing power, join the traffic pattern, and try the landing again. If a go-around isn’t an option, add a slight back pressure to resume a normal landing attitude and quickly transfer the aircraft’s weight to the main gear. Have you ever experienced wheelbarrowing during takeoff or landing? Tell us in the comments below.
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