STRCASB Identification: STT003F013 .
04-07-2003, 04:59 PM
#1
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (506)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: St. Thomas, VIRGIN ISLANDS (USA)
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
STRCASB Identification: STT003F013 .
STRCASB Identification: STT003F013 . The docket is stored on visioneer_one's ancient Powerbook 
Accident occurred : Sunday, March 16, 2003 at ST. THOMAS, VI
Aircraft : GSP P-47
Engine : OS Surpass .70
Pilot: "Jens"
Injuries: 1, nonfatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On March 16, at approximately 1500 Atlantic standard time, a GSP P-47 nonregistered homebuilt airplane, was damaged following impact with terrain in St. Thomas, VI. The private pilot was not injured. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 103. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Simón Pierre Field approximately 10 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed.
The pilot was in evaluating his plane's low-speed performance, as he had recently made changes to the landing gear and CG. During a landing approach the pilot touched down before the plane was correctly lined up with the runway. Realizing his mistake and nearing the obstacles bordering the runway, the pilot went to full power just as the right gear strut struck one of the dirt piles and snapped off. The plane barely had enough airspeed to get off the ground at this point, but the pilot made it back into the air, declared mayday to Simón Pierre TWR, and landed uneventfully in the grassy area west of the field. The only damage suffered was the broken landing gear strut.
Addendum #1 : The field was in the process of being resurfaced, and was largely covered with randomly-placed piles of rocks & pebbles. The normal runway area was reduced to a single strip less than 15 feet wide and not aligned with the prevailing winds.
Addendum #2 : While making adjustments to the airframe, the pilot mentioned that he had broken the right music-wire landing gear strut while trying to bend it to a different angle. He repaired the strut by welding the broken ends together then reinstalled it into the wing.
The St. Thomas R/C Association Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
PROPER GLIDEPATH.. NOT ATTAINED.. PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
OBJECT(S)..MULTIPLE PILES OF DIRT / ROCKS
IMPROPER REPAIR PROCEDURES BY GROUND MECHANIC
Accident occurred : Sunday, March 16, 2003 at ST. THOMAS, VI
Aircraft : GSP P-47
Engine : OS Surpass .70
Pilot: "Jens"
Injuries: 1, nonfatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.
On March 16, at approximately 1500 Atlantic standard time, a GSP P-47 nonregistered homebuilt airplane, was damaged following impact with terrain in St. Thomas, VI. The private pilot was not injured. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 103. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated from Simón Pierre Field approximately 10 minutes before the accident. No flight plan had been filed.
The pilot was in evaluating his plane's low-speed performance, as he had recently made changes to the landing gear and CG. During a landing approach the pilot touched down before the plane was correctly lined up with the runway. Realizing his mistake and nearing the obstacles bordering the runway, the pilot went to full power just as the right gear strut struck one of the dirt piles and snapped off. The plane barely had enough airspeed to get off the ground at this point, but the pilot made it back into the air, declared mayday to Simón Pierre TWR, and landed uneventfully in the grassy area west of the field. The only damage suffered was the broken landing gear strut.
Addendum #1 : The field was in the process of being resurfaced, and was largely covered with randomly-placed piles of rocks & pebbles. The normal runway area was reduced to a single strip less than 15 feet wide and not aligned with the prevailing winds.
Addendum #2 : While making adjustments to the airframe, the pilot mentioned that he had broken the right music-wire landing gear strut while trying to bend it to a different angle. He repaired the strut by welding the broken ends together then reinstalled it into the wing.
The St. Thomas R/C Association Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
PROPER GLIDEPATH.. NOT ATTAINED.. PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
OBJECT(S)..MULTIPLE PILES OF DIRT / ROCKS
IMPROPER REPAIR PROCEDURES BY GROUND MECHANIC
