Two crashes in a day: Cub & Tribute *Pics*
05-31-2006, 03:16 PM
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Two crashes in a day: Cub & Tribute *Pics*
Well, I was hoping I wouldnt have to post in this forum anytime soon...
Two weeks ago, I finished my sophomore year of college and moved back home. That weekend, there was a fun-fly at one of the nearby clubs. So, I eagerly headed out to fly again since it had been so long. I packed my Great Planes .40 Cub and E-Flite Tribute, my only airworthy planes at the moment. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing pretty strongly with ominous looking clouds coming and going.
I finally worked up the courage to take off after some other people flew. I was a bit rusty with the Cub, but it was all coming back. I try to stay current with my skills by flying the Tribute at the local park whenever I can.
After flying for a good 10 min, I shot a landing approach and landed her almost perfectly, a beautiful greaser. Knowing that I still had at least another 10 min of fuel, and seeing that I had the entire sky to myself, I said to myself those dreaded words: "Ok, one more flight..." Bad idea...
I took off again and was doing fine until my second landing approach. The wind started blowing the plane towards the pits and spectators. I tried to correct with rudder to keep the plane over the runway. By now, the Cub was losing altitude and still heading for the pits. I have to admit I must have panicked because I slammed full throttle and resorted to using the ailerons and going to head out for another try. I never got it: the Cub stalled (tip stall?) from about 25 ft and went straight in, nose first. The right wing was sliced when it hit a pilot station (visible in the 1st picture). Most of the damage was done to the wing, but the firewall is caved in a bit, the APC prop was cut cleanly on each end (my new invention: the 3 x 6 prop
), and I have a feeling the engine suffered internal damage/bent parts.
Neadless to say, I didnt fly the Tribute. However, it met its demise in a much less honorable way. On the way home some person jumped out in front of me and I slammed on the brakes. With all the back seats of the station wagon folded down, this resulted in my 20+ lb field box to come sliding forward and crushing my Tribute against the back of the front passenger seat. [:@] I had to pull over; I couldnt drive when that angry....
Lots of lessons learned from that day, but now I'm without any flyable planes, though I have another that is 99% finished and I should maiden it soon. Yes, all of it was my fault. I shouldn't have let my over-eagerness to fly trump common sense not to fly in wind thats too strong for my skill level, and considering I hadnt flown the Cub in so long. And next time, I will pack the car with my planes with better care....
According to my flying buddies, the Cub is repairable; I'll let you guys decide for yourself! The Tribute is rather easily repairable, and I will get to it once I finish my other plane. One project at a time...
Will someone please tell me why the heck I'm grinning like an idiot in the 1st pic?!? Enjoy the pics!
Two weeks ago, I finished my sophomore year of college and moved back home. That weekend, there was a fun-fly at one of the nearby clubs. So, I eagerly headed out to fly again since it had been so long. I packed my Great Planes .40 Cub and E-Flite Tribute, my only airworthy planes at the moment. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing pretty strongly with ominous looking clouds coming and going.
I finally worked up the courage to take off after some other people flew. I was a bit rusty with the Cub, but it was all coming back. I try to stay current with my skills by flying the Tribute at the local park whenever I can.
After flying for a good 10 min, I shot a landing approach and landed her almost perfectly, a beautiful greaser. Knowing that I still had at least another 10 min of fuel, and seeing that I had the entire sky to myself, I said to myself those dreaded words: "Ok, one more flight..."
Bad idea...I took off again and was doing fine until my second landing approach. The wind started blowing the plane towards the pits and spectators. I tried to correct with rudder to keep the plane over the runway. By now, the Cub was losing altitude and still heading for the pits. I have to admit I must have panicked because I slammed full throttle and resorted to using the ailerons and going to head out for another try. I never got it: the Cub stalled (tip stall?) from about 25 ft and went straight in, nose first. The right wing was sliced when it hit a pilot station (visible in the 1st picture). Most of the damage was done to the wing, but the firewall is caved in a bit, the APC prop was cut cleanly on each end (my new invention: the 3 x 6 prop
), and I have a feeling the engine suffered internal damage/bent parts.Neadless to say, I didnt fly the Tribute. However, it met its demise in a much less honorable way. On the way home some person jumped out in front of me and I slammed on the brakes. With all the back seats of the station wagon folded down, this resulted in my 20+ lb field box to come sliding forward and crushing my Tribute against the back of the front passenger seat. [:@] I had to pull over; I couldnt drive when that angry....
Lots of lessons learned from that day, but now I'm without any flyable planes, though I have another that is 99% finished and I should maiden it soon. Yes, all of it was my fault. I shouldn't have let my over-eagerness to fly trump common sense not to fly in wind thats too strong for my skill level, and considering I hadnt flown the Cub in so long. And next time, I will pack the car with my planes with better care....
According to my flying buddies, the Cub is repairable; I'll let you guys decide for yourself! The Tribute is rather easily repairable, and I will get to it once I finish my other plane. One project at a time...
Will someone please tell me why the heck I'm grinning like an idiot in the 1st pic?!? Enjoy the pics!
05-31-2006, 04:26 PM
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RE: Two crashes in a day: Cub & Tribute *Pics*
Will someone please tell me why the heck I'm grinning like an idiot in the 1st pic?!? Enjoy the pics!
]
06-01-2006, 02:19 PM
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RE: Two crashes in a day: Cub & Tribute *Pics*
This might help you out with keeping the field box in place. I am in college too so I try whatever I can to not have to spend any more money then I have to on things like this to happen in my car. I have to fold down the seats of my Taurus and stick my planes through the damn back seat and everything. When I put the field box in I actually bungie cord it in by rapping it around the field box and hooking it in these small hooks in my car by the trunk. I started doing this because I did something really stupid one time. I had gotten to my field, unlocked the gate, and must have opened my trunk without knowing. As I drive down the parking lot that is verybumby, the trunk opens all the way, my transmitter flyies out and breaks the gimble. (REAL stupid thing that happend). Now I do this and it holds up really good. And the box weighs close to 40 or 50 pounds with fuel and everything in it.
06-01-2006, 07:59 PM
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RE: Two crashes in a day: Cub & Tribute *Pics*
Thanks for the comments guys.
Joe, dont worry it wont happen again! [>:]
Dingo, great idea! Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try it out.
The Cub has had a good running over the past few years. I'll admit it wasnt the best plane since I built it when I was around 14 or 15. I'm itching for a new plane...
Joe, dont worry it wont happen again! [>:]
Dingo, great idea! Thanks for the tip, I'll definitely try it out.
The Cub has had a good running over the past few years. I'll admit it wasnt the best plane since I built it when I was around 14 or 15. I'm itching for a new plane...
