TheBrickLayer

I had a rough landing last week with my 30 year old little stick in which the right side of the wing was damaged. I used ca and monokote to put it back together. I took it out last night to show the local boy scout group about flying. I had not maidened yet since the rough landing. So I checked the trims and everything looked good. It taxied better than ever, then when I went to take off it rolled right hard. I compensated for it and then proceeded to get altitude for further adjustments. I took my finger off of the stick to trim it out and it rolled right again. I then dumbthumbed it and gave it more right which put it upsidedown and then dumbthumbed it again by giving it up elevator when I should have given it down. That sent it straight into the ground. It hit nose first into some soft dirt. The wings have minor damage but the fuselage pealed like a banana. Normally I wouldn't be too upset about a crash but this plane was thirty years old with an equally old engine on it. I have flown this plane many times in the past but I guess it was just its time to retire. I would post a picture but I forgot to take pictures of the crash site. I can still take a picture of the wreckage if you want to see it.

RaceCity

DUDE!!!!!!!!!???????

Was this an old Ace "Littlest Stik"???

C'mon Man.....JEEZ LOUISE!!!!!!!!!!!

I bet the scouts are lining up to get into r/c after that show hey?

Dr1Driver

You flew it in front of spectators without test-flying it after a crash? NOT SMART! Dummy! I'm glad it's out of it's misery.

Dr.1

RaceCity

Kids no less. Sad man. Really sad.

TheBrickLayer

They loved it! The best part was the crash they said. They particularly liked running into the field to find all of the pieces. Had some other planes that flew fine that day. It was only the one that was ready to retire.

hitman45

jeez man thats sad to hear. Having it for 30 years, thats a long time. Sorry about ya loss mate...

tripp3d

you made that plane live for 30+ years! the way I see it your ahead of most of us. sorry for your loss...

sparky577

I think we can do without some of the derrogatory remarks here, gentlemen. Bricklayer may have had a lapse in judgement, but I don't see how it would be any different than test-flying an airplane at his local club with spectators. As long as everyone is located behind the flight line, and all safety precautions are followed, theres nothing else that can be done. Sh&* happens. Just take a deep breath and remember that it's just a pile of wood, and sooner or later we all make mistakes.

friedclutch

I lurk here alot. After reading some of the comments to this post I have to add.

"You flew it in front of spectators without test-flying it after a crash?"

Really, man. I'm also thinking the kids were in the designated area for non pilots. Not to mention, when the h3ll are you going to fly at the field when there are NO people?

Seriously. Not good replys.

Congrats on keeping a plane for 30 yrs.

Dr1Driver

Bricklayer may have had a lapse in judgement,
Yes, he certainly did!

but I don't see how it would be any different than test-flying an airplane at his local club with spectators.
And you shouldn't do that, either.

Dr.1

a65l

My Feedback: (17)

AMA safety code states that you shall not fly an aircraft for spectators untill it has been test flown.

Andy

coolbean

The code says:
4. I will not fly my model aircraft in sanctioned events, air shows, or model demonstrations until it has been proven airworthy.

Says nothing about "spectators" So some boyscouts came to the field to see some planes fly.. it wasn't a sanctioned event, or air show.. You MIGHT argue it was a model demonstation... but I think that's pushing it. I think as long as the kids were in the designated spectator area, it's all good.

Dr1Driver

Says nothing about "spectators" So some boyscouts came to the field to see some planes fly..

There's always one Philadelphia lawyer in the crowd. If you ask the AMA, I'll bet the intent of the rule is a model airplane NOT be flown in the presence of ANYONE but the pilot and designated helper until it's proven safe. Rule or not, it's still a dumb move.

Dr.1

rangerstl

Yo, Dr1Driver;

In case you have not deduced, your derogatory comments are not welcome here. You are acting like a punk whose only intent is to stir up trouble.

I'm hitting the "Block" button on your sorry butt.

N

JettPilot

My Feedback: (6)

It sucks to crash an engine and plane that is 30 years old, BUT...

To go the wrong way on the ailerons, come on, with mistakes like that what do you expect ? You have been flying how long ? I have a hard time feeling sorry for anyone that shows such a complete and total lack of flying skill. Maybe you should stick to flying kites

JettPilot

rangerstl

Sheesh, I have more trouble with kites than airplanes!

N

Super_Dave

I don't think this had anything to do with skill jettpilot. We are only human and we make mistakes especially infront of boyscouts already screwing up his flight it could have been hard to keep his cool.

schwatd

Brutal, just brutal. And sorry to hear about the plane, Good job keeping it around that long.

Calm Winds and Smooth Landings

T

timothy thompson

My Feedback: (1)

this is why i dont belong to a club!!

rjm1982

There sure are alot of people in here ready to pass judgement, isnt there?

Everyone crashes. Most of the crashes are pilot error. To come here and judge people like you do, just wrong. Gotta love the anonymity of the internet, eh?

But basically, what everyone is saying, is that in the middle of summer, when the field is always busy, you are not allowed to fly a new or repaired plane, right? Get real.

He wasnt doing anything stupid, he was flying a plane. The plane itself was airworthy obviously...he just made a mistake in flying it...get over yourselves

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

Probably one of the old "Midwest" stick kits I'll bet. One of the best kits ever made and a plane that would usually fly no matter what you did to it. I had one that lasted about 15 years. Know how you feel.