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Old 08-09-2004 | 11:51 PM
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carrellh
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From: Garland, TX
Default Crashed trying to solo

I took my PT-60 out Sunday. Had a couple of good flights on the buddy box. My instructor and I talked for a while and I decided to try a solo flight. Takeoff was shaky but I got through it and flew around for several minutes. I felt offline on approach and went aound, then tried to come in again. I thought the plane was drifting too close to me and tried to go around again. I guess I pulled up before the throttle responded. It sort of stalled/rolled and went over my head. I think I got disoriented, and I lost grip on the stick, and crashed beyond the parking area. The damage is not too bad:

Prop broken.
Engine ate some dirt.
Fuselage cheeks crunched a bit. I'll probably just cut off cheek material until I'm at solid wood again. I probably won't replace the cheeks since they're not functional.
Nose gear bent some.
Wing bolts sheared, hooray, so the only visible damage to the wing is to the balsa leading edge. I'll know more when I strip the covering off the center.
Windshield broke off.
F2 former, where the wing dowel goes, broke out.
Fuselage sides and doublers were damaged by leading edge of wing.

It will take me a while to do the repairs, but I'm pretty sure I can do everything it needs.

I do think I was ready, but stuff happens. When I get it fixed, I want to strictly practice landing for a while before I try another solo flight.