Hi there

As well as the gremlins in the cockpit, the CoG shift following the departure of the canopy, the bang-seat, and of course the original pilot, added to the considerable thrust at idle, allowed the aircraft to descend gently until it reached the snow covered alfalfa field where it gently slithered to a halt.

Just proves the old adage, "Airplanes don't crash. Pilots crash them."

As to the residual thrust on these airplanes, they could achieve 87 kts on level ground with engine set at idle. You can imagine the speed attainable with gear up, and no pilot to interfere with the aerodynamics. Very slippery device indeed.

Eric