Ask the Captain: Can a plane make an emergency landing without its ‘tail wings?’
Can an airplane make an emergency landing without its tail wings?
– CooliBro2010, U.S.
The “tail wings” are know a horizontal stabilizers.
No, the loss of the horizontal stabilizers would result in an severe aerodynamic unbalance. They provide downward lift to balance the wing, producing lift. Loss of the horizontal stabilizer would result in the aft (rear) part of the airplane tumbling forward causing forces that would break the fuselage apart.
John Cox is a retired airline captain with US Airways and runs his own aviation safety consulting company, Safety Operating Systems.