Sir - I refer to "Catching crabs" (Flight International, Letters, 4-10 January, P35). Obviously, a lesser-spotted black-headed gull had caught the crab for lunch and was flying over the airfield. When the crab saw its chance for freedom, it misjudged the speed of its fall and grabbed at the passing wing of the aircraft. It latched on, but the force of the impact detached the claws from the body. The claws, meanwhile, had enough grip for the flight to Istanbul.
HAYDEN BARRETT
Support services director
British International Helicopters
Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
Source: Flight International