RE: Crashed my trainer today
I realized the silliness of the ‘last flight’ comment after I posted.
I have landed deadstick a few times but they were all planned in advance, or were a result of my idle trim being a little low. Either way, I was on approach and it was just a matter of continuing as planned. This time I was upwind, had a lot of altitude, and was doing a loop. I got it headed downwind and then turned for approach. I was coming down pretty fast and trying to get headed up the runway. I needed to turn left and pull up. I ‘think’ I turned right and didn’t pull up but I’m not absolutely sure.
My instructor and I agreed before flying that he would not release the trainer switch unless I asked for help. By the time I realized I was crashing it was too late to ask for help.
I’ve inspected the fuselage twice and do not see any damage. I stripped some wing covering today. I can repair it. The left wing is missing the LE and sheeting for the last 6 inches or so. That should be fairly easy to replace. The right LE, LE Sheeting, & TE are broken just outside the center sheeting. I should be able to clamp them straight and glue a doubler inside. The main spar is fine.