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Thread: [IAC] RV-8 crash info
Message: [IAC] RV-8 crash info
Follow-Up To: ACRO Email list (for List Members only)
From: "Flyin Brian" <snaproll at hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 02 Jun 1998 07:13:43 UTC
Greetings folks, As an RV-8 builder, I have been CLOSELY monitoring this tragedy and the resultant impact to the RV-8 design. Van's Aircraft has not released an "official" statement yet, but one of my fellow builders spoke with the factory today and they are indicating that pilot error *could* have been the cause. The RV-8 wing is not terribly different from the -4 and -6, and follows known, proven technology in it's design. The NTSB has released a preliminary report, indicating simply "Breakup of the airframe". The wing design has been loaded to failure at the factory, and indicated structural breakage at +9G, but appeared sufficiently sound to maintain 1G flight and landing. This was done in a gradual manner, with sand bags, of course. Perhaps the sudden onset of critical G loads would cause a more catastrophic failure mode. We all know that ANY airplane can be overloaded and damaged, with resultant horrific results. The RV builds speed so well, that a heavy-handed pilot could overload it rather quickly. I have flown an RV-4, and was very impressed with how sensitive and "firm" the controls feel. It's a finger tip airplane, and stick forces per G are low. I'm not sufficiently experienced to comment any further on it, but these are my initial impressions. The crash resulted in the deaths of the factory demonstrator pilot, (with vast RV experience) and his passenger (pilot rated). There has been no statement indicating post or pre-crash fire, but the airframe was substantially damaged in the impact. Evidently, post crash inspection of the wreckage did not reveal anything substantial, and additional metallurgical evaluation is being conducted by the NTSB. Details of the RV-8 wing may be seen on my Web page at: http://geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/9656/akroshomepage.htm Fly safe folks, preflight and fly your aircraft like your life depends on it...because IT DOES. Brian Denk RV-8 #379 Albuquerque, NM IAC #510177 *The above comments are purely my own, and in no way do I speak on behalf of Van's Aircraft or anyone else's behalf* ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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