Kit Mustang goes for a tumble at Reno

FLYBOYJ · Sep 22, 2010

mikewint said:
non-pilot asking questions - i've watched the video several times and it looks to me like he came in perpendicular to the runway and hit the edge berm which bounced him into the air. i can also see that the prop is not turning so i understand no power, i.e. "dead stick" was he lined up properly with the runway or did he just bring it down with few options as to where

He was dead sitck and landed into a 15knot cross wind from what I was told. He was trying to do a wheels landing and seemed to get airborne again and came down hard then cartwheeled.

mikewint · Sep 22, 2010

FBJ, that's a pretty decent wind and cross-ways to boot, is that enough to turn the plane 90 degrees into the edge berm? especially with no power to compensate?

FLYBOYJ · Sep 22, 2010

mikewint said:
FBJ, that's a pretty decent wind and cross-ways to boot, is that enough to turn the plane 90 degrees into the edge berm? especially with no power to compensate?

Yes - as the gusts were over 30 and there seemed to be some wind shear where he touched down at.

mikewint · Sep 22, 2010

FBJ, thank you

Geedee · Sep 23, 2010

Really glad he's Ok. Found this link to video of the 'prang....
LiveLeak.com - Plane Crashes at Reno Air Races; Pilot Survives

N4521U · Sep 24, 2010

I got these today from the Eberhardt crew, Merlin's Magic P-51D and Archimedes T-6. They are copyrighted.

Southron · Mar 15, 2012

Kit plane or NO kit plane-as a pilot I don't know of ANY AIRPLANE EVER MADE that would survive having a wing tip DUG into the ground like that Thunder Mustang. Airplanes are wonderful, magical inventions but they were never designed to plow up ground and survive!!!!

evangilder · Mar 16, 2012

Better to start destructing than to stay in one piece. If it hadn't had the airframe breaking apart on impact, the G-forces of the impact and tumble most likely would have killed the pilot. That being said, looking at the pictures of it coming apart still makes it amazing that anyone survived that.

Shinpachi · Mar 16, 2012

That's too much to say Thanks for sharing!

drgondog · Mar 18, 2012

evangilder said:
Better to start destructing than to stay in one piece. If it hadn't had the airframe breaking apart on impact, the G-forces of the impact and tumble most likely would have killed the pilot. That being said, looking at the pictures of it coming apart still makes it amazing that anyone survived that.

This comment is dead on in all respects. The airframe was absorbing and shedding energy as it started breaking up. IMO he was too slow for enough aileron/rudder control to compensate for the crosswind lift on the upwind wing - and he had zero altitude for any recovery... lucky gentleman

FLYBOYJ · Mar 18, 2012

Exactly Bill! When he landed he had at least a 20 knot (If not more) crosswind. When the wreck came to a stop it was basically a firewall and cockpit bulkhead. As stated, he made it to the banquet that night!

Southron · Mar 19, 2012

I am really THANKFUL that the pilot was uninjured and no spectators were hurt. There have been far too many tragedies recently in air racing.

FLYBOYJ · Mar 19, 2012

Southron said:
I am really THANKFUL that the pilot was uninjured and no spectators were hurt.

FYI - the crash of this aircraft happened quite a distance from spectators, I'd say at least 1/4 mile away

Southron said:
There have been far too many tragedies recently in air racing.

We know the tragedy of this year all too well but aside from that it's been relatively safe for spectators although 2007 wasn't a good year.

Kit Mustang goes for a tumble at Reno

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